New Jersey Lead Service Line Replacement Programs
New Jersey water systems reported 56,627 lead and 58,544 galvanized service lines that must be replaced (EPA, Q3 2026). Below: the state rule on who pays, and every New Jersey utility with at least 1,000 such lines or a confirmed program.
P.L.2021, c.183 (N.J.S.A. 58:12A-40 et seq.)
New Jersey requires water systems to replace all lead service lines, and galvanized lines that need it, within ten years of the 2021 law, so by 2031. Investor-owned utilities recover the cost of the owner side through rates; New Jersey American Water and Veolia replace customer lines at no direct cost and add a small charge to every bill. Many municipal systems, such as Newark, Trenton and Passaic Valley, also replace at no cost to the owner.
Mandatory? Yes. New Jersey law requires every lead and galvanized service line to be replaced by 2031.
Funding: NJ Water Bank (NJDEP and NJ Infrastructure Bank) loans and principal forgiveness; utility surcharges approved by the BPU.
Sources: law.justia.com, amwater.com
| Utility | Lead | Galv. | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton Trenton Water Works | 15,734 | 446 | Free |
| Bergen & Hudson County (Veolia) Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack | 11,567 | 316 | Free |
| Camden City of Camden | 9,401 | 0 | Utility program |
| East Orange East Orange Water Commission | 1,969 | 6,000 | Utility program |
| Wildwood City Wildwood City Water Department | 0 | 6,232 | Not confirmed |
| Vineland Vineland Water & Sewer Utility | 0 | 6,080 | Not confirmed |
| Raritan system (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Raritan | 429 | 5,590 | Free when scheduled |
| Ventnor City Ventnor City Water & Sewer Utility | 0 | 4,755 | Not confirmed |
| Belleville Belleville Water Dept | 4,411 | 0 | Utility program |
| Monmouth & Ocean County (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Coastal North | 192 | 2,653 | Free when scheduled |
| Woodbridge & Edison area (Middlesex Water) Middlesex Water Company | 3 | 2,559 | Free when scheduled |
| Short Hills system (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Short Hills | 1,231 | 1,240 | Free when scheduled |
| Bayonne City of Bayonne | 2,284 | 123 | Utility program |
| Jersey City Jersey City Mua | 1,755 | 13 | Utility program |
| Florence Florence TWP W Dept | 1,639 | 0 | Not confirmed |
| Camden County suburbs (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Western | 85 | 1,459 | Free when scheduled |
| Fair Lawn Hawthorne Water Department | 0 | 1,513 | Not confirmed |
| Ridgewood Ridgewood Water | 252 | 1,190 | Not confirmed |
| Lyndhurst Lyndhurst Water Department | 1,408 | 3 | Not confirmed |
| Atlantic County (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Atlantic County | 46 | 785 | Free when scheduled |
| Ocean City (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Ocean City | 6 | 362 | Free when scheduled |
| Liberty system (Elizabeth area) (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Liberty | 112 | 220 | Free when scheduled |
| Mount Holly (NJ American Water) NJ American Water - Mount Holly | 32 | 213 | Free when scheduled |
Compare: lead lines in every state · cities with the most lead pipes · free programs in New Jersey
Common questions
Who pays to replace lead service lines in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires water systems to replace all lead service lines, and galvanized lines that need it, within ten years of the 2021 law, so by 2031. Investor-owned utilities recover the cost of the owner side through rates; New Jersey American Water and Veolia replace customer lines at no direct cost and add a small charge to every bill. Many municipal systems, such as Newark, Trenton and Passaic Valley, also replace at no cost to the owner.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey law requires every lead and galvanized service line to be replaced by 2031.
How many lead service lines are in New Jersey?
Water systems in New Jersey reported 56,627 lead service lines, 58,544 galvanized lines that need replacement and 562,655 lines of unknown material to EPA (Q3 2026), across 254 reporting systems.
Where can I get help paying in New Jersey?
Start with your water utility's program; the table on this page shows what we've confirmed. State money flows through: NJ Water Bank (NJDEP and NJ Infrastructure Bank) loans and principal forgiveness; utility surcharges approved by the BPU. If your utility has no program, see our guide to paying for replacement.