NJ Will Save Much More Than It Spends Replacing Lead Pipes: Study

NEWARK, NJ — When New Jersey passed a landmark law requiring the replacement of every lead lined service pipe in the state by 2031, some massive numbers were thrown around. One estimate from the state said that local government costs could reach $2.65 billion over the next decade – a whopping $265 million per year.

The good news? New Jersey could save more than 10 times that amount in health care costs, a recent study says.

On Wednesday, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NDRC) released the results of a state-by-state analysis dubbed “Getting The Lead Out.” It took a look at the cost savings that might be achieved by replacing lead “service lines,” the pipes that connect homes to the water mains in the street.

Read the full report and see its methodology here.

According to the NDRC study, New Jersey will avoid nearly $30 billion in health costs by replacing every lead pipe that delivers drinking water to homes in the state.

Nationwide, nearly 90 percent of the projected savings coming from reduced cardiovascular disease, advocates said – the leading cause of death in the United States.

“From disrupted brain development to problems with attention and behavior, our children’s lives have been put on the line by exposure to lead-contaminated drinking water in their schools and homes,” said Yvette Jordan, a founding member of the New Jersey Education Workers Caucus, one of the advocacy groups that was at the forefront of Newark’s recent lead water crisis.

“This NRDC report makes it undeniably clear that New Jersey’s families cannot afford to wait any longer to get the lead out of our neighborhoods and keep our children safe,” Jordan said.

• See Related: Lead Pipes And Newark: Kamala Harris Returns To NJ To Praise City

Under New Jersey’s law, the burden of replacing lead service pipes is the responsibility of each individual water utility company or government body. Any investor-owned public water system will be allowed to recoup replacement costs from its customers, although it’s possible that federal or state funding can help soften the blow. Providers will also be allowed to apply for a five-year extension if they can’t meet the deadline.

A related law removed restrictions on special assessments and bond issuances for lead service line replacements, giving towns and cities another way to finance the construction.

While the cost of the effort is steep, it should be an expense that a responsible provider is willing to pay, advocates said.

“We found staggering health and dollar benefits for removing lead water pipes,” said Erik Olson, senior strategic director for health with the NRDC. “And water utilities that do nothing are essentially opting in favor of avoidable and costly health risks and even deaths.”

• See Related: New Jersey Is Replacing Its Lead Water Pipes – All Of Them
• See Related: Lead Pipe Replacement Underway At 180K NJ Homes, Businesses

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.