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If you own an older home in New Jersey, you may have received a letter from your water company about your service line. You may have also seen terms like lead, galvanized, or non-lead, and wondered what they actually mean for your home.
New Jersey’s Lead Service Line Replacement Law requires community water systems to identify lead service lines, notify affected residents, and replace them by 2031. That makes this a good time to find out what kind of pipe is bringing water from the street into your house.
For homeowners in Chatham, Madison, Summit, Morristown, Westfield, and other established communities across Northern and Central New Jersey, the first step is understanding what a service line is and how to identify the material you have.
What Does New Jersey’s Lead Service Line Law Require?
New Jersey enacted its Lead Service Line Replacement Law in 2021. Under the law, community water systems must identify service line materials, notify residents when a property is served by a lead or unknown line, and replace lead service lines by 2031.
A service line is the underground pipe that carries water from the public water main to your home. Depending on the water system, ownership may be split between the utility and the property owner.
New Jersey also considers galvanized iron or steel service lines to be lead service lines for replacement purposes. That means a notice about galvanized piping should not be treated as the same thing as a confirmed non-lead service line.
Which NJ Homes Should Be Checked for Lead Service Lines?
An older home does not automatically have a lead service line, but age is a reason to take a closer look.
NJDEP recommends that owners of homes and buildings constructed before 1988 determine whether lead service lines, interior lead pipes, or lead solder may be present.
That is especially relevant in many established North and Central New Jersey communities, where homes have been renovated and repiped at different times. Two houses built in the same decade may have completely different service line materials today.
If your water utility has already identified your line, use that information first. If the material is listed as unknown, you can contact the water company or check the exposed portion of the service line inside your home.
How to Check Your Service Line With the Scratch-and-Magnet Test
NJDEP provides a simple way homeowners can help identify an exposed service line using a coin or key and a magnet.
Start by finding your water meter. In many New Jersey homes, the meter is in the basement, garage, or crawlspace. If the meter is indoors, the service line usually enters the home nearby on the same wall.
Once you find the exposed service pipe:
- Look at the material first. Determine whether the pipe appears to be plastic or metal.
- Gently scratch a small exposed area. NJDEP recommends using a coin or key near the point where the pipe enters the wall.
- Hold a magnet against the pipe. Whether the magnet sticks can help narrow down the material.
If you cannot locate the service line, the pipe is painted or heavily corroded, or you are not comfortable identifying it yourself, contact your water supplier or have a licensed plumber take a look.
What Do Lead, Copper, Galvanized, and Plastic Service Lines Look Like?
The scratch-and-magnet test can help distinguish common service line materials:
- Lead: Usually dull gray. A gently scratched area reveals a shiny silver color, and a magnet will not stick.
- Galvanized iron or steel: Usually silver or gray. A magnet will stick to the pipe.
- Copper: A scratched area reveals a shiny copper or penny-like color. A magnet will not stick.
- Plastic: Often white or gray, although other colors are possible. It will not have the appearance of a metal pipe.
NJDEP says both lead and galvanized service lines need to be replaced under New Jersey’s lead service line program.
Who Pays for Lead Service Line Replacement?
This is one of the most important questions to ask your local water system because the answer can vary.
In many systems, the portion between the water main and property line is typically considered the public side, while the section from the property line into the building is typically the property owner’s side. Ownership arrangements are not identical everywhere, however.
NJDEP advises homeowners who receive a lead service line notice to contact their water system before arranging replacement. Depending on the local program, property owners may be responsible for some or all of the cost associated with their portion of the line.
There may also be local funding or utility programs available, so it is worth asking about replacement assistance before scheduling the work independently.
What Can You Do While You Are Waiting for Replacement?
If your service line has been identified as lead, galvanized, or unknown, follow the instructions provided by your water supplier.
NJDEP also recommends several steps that can help reduce potential exposure while you are waiting for verification or replacement:
- Follow your water supplier’s flushing instructions.
- Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking rather than hot tap water.
- Consider a water filter certified for lead reduction.
- Determine whether older interior plumbing, fixtures, or solder may also contain lead.
- Replace lead-containing plumbing components where appropriate.
Lead cannot be reliably identified by how the water looks, smells, or tastes. Clear water does not necessarily mean the service line or interior plumbing is lead-free.
If you are considering filtration while you wait for replacement, Pipe Works Services also offers whole-house water filtration. A filter should be selected for the specific contaminant you are trying to reduce, so talk with your water supplier or plumbing professional about the right approach for your home.
What Does a Full Service Line Replacement Involve?
When a lead service line is confirmed, New Jersey’s goal is full replacement rather than leaving part of the old lead line in place. NJDEP generally prohibits partial replacement except in limited situations, such as certain emergencies or water-main projects.
The exact process depends on the property and the local water system, but replacement may involve:
- Coordinating with the water utility
- Locating the existing service line
- Excavating or accessing the line
- Removing the affected service-line material
- Installing an approved replacement line
- Connecting the new line to the home’s plumbing
- Completing required inspections and restoration
Some properties may also be candidates for trenchless plumbing methods, depending on the location and condition of the line. Trenchless methods can sometimes reduce the amount of digging needed, but they are not appropriate for every replacement.
Pipe Works Services also provides plumbing installation and replacement throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. If work is needed on the homeowner side of the service line, we can inspect the existing plumbing, explain the replacement options, and help coordinate the work required at the property.
Not Sure What Kind of Service Line You Have?
If your water company has identified your service line as lead, galvanized, or unknown, start by following the instructions in the notice and contacting the utility about its replacement process.
If you need help identifying older plumbing on your property or understanding what may need to be replaced, Pipe Works Services has served homeowners throughout Northern and Central New Jersey since 2000. Our plumbing team handles repairs, replacements, water-line work, and water treatment throughout the area.
Contact Pipe Works Services to have us take a closer look at the plumbing serving your home and explain what your next steps may be.
