NJDEP : Water Systems Required to Replace all Lead Water Service Lines in their Service Area by 2031

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood  NJ, yesterday February 21st was the cut day to be notified if your water was being delivered to your residence via lead pipes. According to the NJDEP website, water systems in NJ are required to notify residents, non-paying consumers (e.g., a renter not responsible for the water bill), and any off-site owner of a property (e.g., landlord) when it is known they are served by a lead service line no later than February 21, 2022. Water systems will also be required to replace all lead service lines in their service area by 2031.

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The most recent inventories were submitted in September 2021 and January 2022 report there are 186,830 lead service lines in New Jersey.

Ridgewood Water is happy to let our customers know that since the addition of corrosion control treatment to the RW distribution system in May 2016, lead levels have drastically declined as determined by our sampling program (see graph) as regulated by NJDEP. The sample results indicate that the corrosion control treatment has been extremely successful at reducing the levels of lead in drinking water, with 2019 samples producing the lowest levels of lead in Ridgewood Water’s history.

While lead in drinking water poses health risks, your water system is required to assess appropriate actions and may be required to treat your water to minimize corrosion of pipe materials into the water.A service line is a portion of pipe that connects the water main to the building inlet. Ownership of the service line varies by water system but is frequently split between the water system and the property owner. Service lines can be made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, copper, galvanized metals, or lead.“Lead service line” means a water supply connection that is made of, or lined with, a material consisting of lead, and which connects a water main to a building inlet. A lead pigtail, lead gooseneck, or other lead fitting shall be considered to be a lead service line, regardless of the composition of the service line or other portions of piping to which such piece is attached. A galvanized service line shall be considered to be a lead service line. A lead service line may be owned by the public community water system, a property owner, or both.

Lead is not usually found in drinking water at its source (e.g., surface water, groundwater, reservoirs). The potential for exposure to lead through drinking water is due to the corrosion of lead-containing plumbing and fixtures that can leach lead into drinking water over time. Materials affected by corrosion can include lead service lines, internal home plumbing, and fixtures such as old faucets. Multiple factors can affect whether and to what extent lead leaches into drinking water, including the lead content of pipes, fixtures, and solder, along with water temperature, pH, and hardness, as well as the application of corrosion control technology by the water system.

Lead presents health concerns for people of all ages, but particularly pregnant people, infants, and young children. If consumers live in homes, or communities where lead is in contact with drinking water, they may be at risk of exposure.

Infants and Children

Behavior and learning problems
Lower IQ and Hyperactivity
Slowed growth and development
Hearing Problems
Anemia

Developing Fetuses and Pregnancy

Cause low birthweight and premature birth
Harm fetal brain, kidney, and nervous system development
Increase the likelihood of learning or behavioral problems; and
Increase the risk of miscarriage

Other Adults

Cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension;
Decreased kidney function; and
Reproductive problems