New Jersey American Water has scheduled construction crews to be in Raritan Borough beginning on or about September 15, 2024, so they can help us to identify service lines of unknown material. New Jersey American Water is committed to finding and replacing all water services with lead or galvanized steel piping, but to meet that goal we must identify service line material where it is unknown.

We plan to assess the service line at your property by performing a "test hole" near the water meter chamber or curb shut off in front of your home or business. This is  usually located near the curb or sidewalk area. The service line is the pipe that connects your home to the water main in the street. A portion of the service line to your  residence is owned by New Jersey American Water, while the other portion is owned by the homeowner. One or both portions of the service line may be exposed for inspection. There is no direct, out of pocket cost to you at the time of the replacement.

Our qualified contractor, Schilke Construction Co. Inc., will conduct the "test hole" work on a block-by-block basis. If it's discovered that a portion of the service line contains lead or galvanized piping, we will work with you to schedule its replacement, including the portion entering the basement or crawlspace. Our goal is to replace 100% of all lead and galvanized service lines under this program.

To take advantage of our service line replacement program, the property owner must sign a consent agreement allowing our qualified contractor to complete the service  line replacement work, as it requires access inside the property to complete the connection to your home's internal plumbing. Service line replacement, permit fees, and restoration associated with this work will be paid for by New Jersey American Water.

If you know the material of your service line, please scan the QR code below and self-identify using our online mapping tool. Additional information can be found online  at www.newierseyamwater.com/leadfacts. Here you will find resources, including answers to frequently asked questions. Please note our website can also be viewed in Espanol, and translated materials are also available.

At New Jersey American Water, providing safe, reliable water service is our top priority. Each year, we invest millions of dollars in upgrading our water infrastructure to support our continued provision of safe and reliable water service to you.

In July 2021, the state of New Jersey enacted legislation for all water service providers to replace utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized water service lines within 10 years. While we routinely test for lead in drinking water and work to keep lead levels below state and federally regulated levels through the use of  corrosion inhibitors, we are committed to removing lead and galvanized water service lines by 2031.

View Additional Information Here