Lead Service Line
Inventory & Replacement Information
In July 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law P.L.2021, Ch. 183, which requires water systems in New Jersey to identify all lead service lines, provide public notification regarding the presence of all lead service lines, and replace all lead service lines by 2031. The law includes a requirement for community water systems to notify residents who have lead service lines.
THE TOWN OF HARRISON is 1 of the 10 communities selected to participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Accelerator Pilot Program to address barriers and accelerate progress toward Lead Service Line (LSL) identification and replacement.
What is a service line?
A service line is the pipe that connects the water main to your home or building inlet. The part up to the property line is usually a utility-owner service line and the rest of the service line from the property line to your home is considered private property – and the homeowner’s responsibility.
Service lines can be classified as one of the following:
- Lead: a portion of the pipe that is made of lead, which connects the water main to the building inlet.
- Non-Lead: the service line is determined not to be lead or GRR through an evidence-based record, method, or technique.
- Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR): a galvanized service line that is or ever was downstream of a lead service line (LSL) or is currently downstream of an unknown service line.
- Unknown: the service line material is not known to be lead, GRR, or non-lead, such as where there is no documented evidence supporting material classification.
Possible materials that your drinking water service line could be made of include the following:
- Bronze / Brass
- Cast Iron
- Copper (most often)
- Galvanized Steel
- Lead
- Plastic
The health impacts of lead and sources of lead in drinking water
Lead is a toxic, soft metal that can be found in paint, dust, air, soil, food, and water, and can be harmful to human health. There is NO safe level of exposure to lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects for people of all ages, particularly in infants, young children, and pregnant women.
Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead and galvanized pipes, faucets, and fixtures. Lead particulate degrading within a service line may enter into the water people drink or become trapped in the faucet aerator and release lead over time.
What is Harrison doing to remove lead service lines?
The Town of Harrison’s Water Department is currently working hard to identify and determine the material of the service line of as many homes as possible. At the same time, Harrison is working on a replacement plan so that they can replace all lead service lines ahead of the 2031 deadline.
Whether your service line is confirmed lead or not, the first thing to note is that it is SAFE to use the water that runs through the tap for purposes other than drinking, such as handwashing, cleaning, or watering plants that are not intended for eating.
Here are some steps that you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water:
- Look for alternative sources or treatment for drinking water. You may consider purchasing bottled water or using a water filter, but make sure to look for the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) mark to ensure the filter you are buying is certified.
- Use cold water for drinking and preparing food. Hot water is more likely to contain lead than cold water if your home’s plumbing contains lead. Please note that boiling water does NOT remove lead.
- Flush your water prior to use. Flushing tap water lines is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your health! It involves opening taps and letting the water run for 1 to 3 minutes to help reduce lead concentrations by clearing the water that has been sitting in the pipes.
- Inform visitors. Make sure that visitors are also aware of your situation and provide them with the same information on reducing the risk of lead exposure.
If you have questions, please contact Harrison DPW at (973) 268 - 2468.
Here are some more helpful links to understand about lead service line replacement:
New Jersey Water Bank Financing Information NJWB Online Project Posting
American Water Works Informative Video of Lead in Drinking Water
EPA Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA
EPA Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead | US EPA
New Jersey DEP Lead in Drinking Water
NRDC What you need to know about lead service line replacement