Belleville Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Belleville Water Dept serves about 35,129 people and reported 4,411 lead service lines that must be replaced, out of 7,523 lines, in EPA's Q3 2026 inventory. Here's who pays to replace yours, what it costs, and how to sign up.
Main-to-meter replacements, phase by phase
Belleville's Lead Service Line Replacement Program replaces lines from the water main to the meter inside the home, starting with about 430 of the roughly 5,500 lead lines under a New Jersey Water Bank loan, plus about $1.26 million in federal grants. The township hasn't published owner cost terms.
How to get it
- Call the Belleville Water Department at 973-450-3414 to check your line.
- Ask whether your street is in the current phase and what owners pay.
- Sign the access form when contacted.
Sources: njib.gov, newjersey.news12.com
Lead lines in Belleville
The most recent 90th-percentile lead result EPA lists for this system is 1.9 parts per billion (2026-01 to 2026-06). Under the new federal rule, the action level drops to 10 ppb in 2027. Galvanized lines count if they ever sat downstream of a lead pipe, because they can hold lead particles. Unknown lines must be identified by the utility, and many turn out to be lead.
How Belleville compares: it ranks #111 of 7,556 U.S. water systems and #9 of 240 in New Jersey for lead and galvanized lines. 58.6% of its service lines need replacing, compared with 5.4% across New Jersey. See the national ranking.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory, Q3 2026 · Utility phone: 973-450-3412 · PWSID NJ0701001
Belleville lead service line map: check your address
Every water utility had to publish an inventory of its service lines, and most offer an address lookup map. Start with Belleville Water Dept's official lead program page, which links to its lookup or explains how to get your line checked. The status will be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, non-lead or unknown. If it's unknown, you can usually check the pipe yourself and send the utility a photo.
Who pays 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.
The law: P.L.2021, c.183 (N.J.S.A. 58:12A-40 et seq.). 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
Nationwide, EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most utilities to replace every lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement line by December 31, 2037, starting November 1, 2027. Utilities must mail a notice every year to each home with a lead, galvanized or unknown line. See the federal timeline.
What would you pay?
Many utility loans are 0% (enter 0). Private loans run higher. Your real price depends on how far the house sits from the street, digging versus trenchless methods, permits and restoration. This is an estimate, not a quote.
Not covered, or can't wait?
Get up to 3 quotes from licensed plumbers who replace service lines in Belleville.
Common questions
Is lead service line replacement free in Belleville?
Possibly. Belleville Water Dept is replacing lead lines, but hasn't published what owners pay. Belleville's Lead Service Line Replacement Program replaces lines from the water main to the meter inside the home, starting with about 430 of the roughly 5,500 lead lines under a New Jersey Water Bank loan, plus about $1.26 million in federal grants.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory in Belleville?
NJ law requires all lead lines replaced by 2031.
How much does it cost to replace a lead service line in Belleville?
Most private-side replacements cost about $4,000 to $10,000, and long or difficult lines can run higher. Price depends on the distance from the street to your house, whether the contractor digs a trench or pulls the new pipe through (trenchless), permits, and restoring your lawn, sidewalk or basement wall.
How do I know if my home has a lead service line?
Look up your address on Belleville Water Dept's service line inventory or check the letter it mailed you. You can also check the pipe where it enters your basement, usually near the meter: lead is dull gray, soft, and turns shiny silver when you scratch it with a key, and a magnet won't stick. Galvanized steel is gray too, but a magnet sticks to it. See our step-by-step guide.
What if I can't afford to replace my lead line?
Ask Belleville Water Dept about income-based help first; federal money often makes replacement free for low-income owners. Other options are utility payment plans, 0% city loans, state revolving fund programs, property tax assessments and home improvement loans. Our guide on paying for replacement lists them.
Who owns the water service line?
In most U.S. cities the utility owns the pipe from the water main to the curb stop or property line, and the property owner owns the rest, into the house. Some utilities, including Minneapolis and many in St. Louis County, treat the whole line as the owner's. Federal rules now require utilities to replace the whole lead line, not just their part.
Other New Jersey programs
Trenton ✓Bergen & Hudson County (Veolia) ✓Camden ✓East Orange ✓Elizabeth (NJ American Water) ✓Monmouth & Ocean County (NJ American Water) ✓Wildwood CityVinelandVentnor CityWoodbridge & Edison area (Middlesex Water) ✓
Something out of date? Report a change. We recheck program terms at least once a year.