NJ Is Making Towns Replace Lead Pipes; Montclair Begins Process

MONTCLAIR, NJ — When Gov. Phil Murphy signed a landmark package of bills into law last summer, it started a countdown clock for towns across New Jersey, including Montclair. And within 10 years, every public water system in the state will have to replace their lead, galvanized and brass service lines.

It won’t be easy. But in Montclair, the process has officially begun, town officials announced Tuesday.

Three years ago, Newark – a city located just a short drive from Montclair – made national headlines when it confronted a lead water crisis. Since then, Newark has replaced almost 20,000 lead service pipes, a massive effort that is projected to cost at least $120 million by the time it’s through.

Although Newark has reportedly turned the corner with its lead contamination crisis, there are still many other municipalities with lead service lines throughout the state. And that's why change was desperately needed, advocates said.

In July 2021, Murphy signed a package of laws that will require hundreds of community water systems in New Jersey to replace these lines within the next decade.

The pipes – which connect local homes and businesses to the local water supply – can potentially leach contamination as water passes through them, one of the suspected culprits behind Newark's recent woes. A portion of the pipes may be privately owned, complicating efforts to replace them.

• Read More: New Jersey Is Replacing Its Lead Water Pipes – All Of Them
• Read More: Newark Isn't Only NJ City At Risk Of Lead Water, Map Shows

MONTCLAIR: ‘HELP US ELIMINATE LEAD’

On Tuesday, the Montclair Water Bureau gave residents an update on the local replacement effort, noting that people can find out if they have a lead/galvanized service line using this online guide.

“While Montclair’s water mains do not contain lead, the water service line running from the water main to your home may be made of lead, especially if the building was constructed before 1940,” officials said.

“Under the law, all lead service lines to water mains will need to be replaced within the stated 10-year period,” town officials continued.

Galvanized pipes and brass lines will also need to be replaced during the same time frame; galvanized pipes can attract lead particles and brass pipes contain lead, Montclair officials said.

The Montclair Water Bureau said workers began the first phase of compliance by compiling an inventory of lead lines, galvanized lines, brass lines, copper lines, and pipes of unknown material in the township. The data was then submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and is posted on the township website here.

“Please check the data to see if the material of your home's water service line has been identified,” Montclair officials said.

According to the Montclair Water Bureau, here’s what local homeowners can do to help the effort:

“The water bureau will continue the process with test holes and working with homeowners to update the inventory list. We will work with homeowners by either making appointments, having homeowners submit photos, and/or providing swab kits in the near future to verify the material used for the water service entering the home. We need your help with identifying all lead, galvanized and brass pipes entering homes to the water meter. We will regularly update the database until the material composition of all service line pipes has been identified. If you have any questions, please email the water bureau at DOIHAVELEAD@montclairnjusa.org.”

“Please do not call the Water Bureau – email messages help us better track the homes we are dealing with,” Montclair officials said. “When sending us an email message, please put your home address in the subject line. Due to anticipated volume, please give us a few days to respond.”

The water bureau will be reaching out to customers in the coming weeks to discuss the next steps, officials added.

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