GENERAL SERVICE LINE AND INVENTORY FAQs

Q.  What is a water service line?

Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from water mains (large pipes located in the streets) into homes and other buildings. The City of Hoboken owns and maintains the water main, and property owners own and maintain the water service line.

Q.  Who owns the water service line on my property?

The City of Hoboken is responsible for the water main, typically in the street. The property owner owns the service line from the water main to the meter inside the home.

Q.  What type of materials are service lines are made of?

Most service lines in the City of Hoboken are made of copper, ductile iron, or plastic. Other potential materials could be lead, galvanized steel (which might contain lead), brass, cast iron, or asbestos cement.

Q.  What is being done about lead service lines?

On July 22,2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy passed amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and Municipal and County Utilities Authorities Law that address Community Public Water Systems’ obligations for managing lead in drinking water. These bills took effect immediately, with new obligations detailing specific requirements around service.

Please visit our Lead Service Line Replacement Hub for more details: https://lead-service-line-replacement-cityofhoboken.hub.arcgis.com/

Q.  What is Hoboken doing to mitigate the possibility of lead in the city of Hoboken’s Drinking water?

Well before New Jersey’s July 22, 2021, Law, amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and Municipal and County Utilities Authorities Law that address Community Public Water Systems’ obligations for managing lead in drinking water, the City of Hoboken has been proactively taking steps to mitigate the potential for lead in drinking water.

Hoboken’s water system is treated under standards set by NJDEP Water Quality Parameters to prevent lead and copper from leaching into the drinking water by creating a coating on the inner walls of the pipes. This treatment has been established as a safe and effective strategy for water utilities nationwide, and the City of Hoboken’s water utility also does regular Water Quality Parameter and Lead & Copper testing as per the Lead & Copper Rule, to monitor the treatment’s effectiveness.

Ultimately, the best way to identify any risk of exposure to lead in drinking water is to have your water tested. Among its resources on drinking water, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers information about drinking water testing by certified laboratories.

Q.  What other sources of lead are there in my home?

Other sources of lead include plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, fittings, etc.), indoor copper plumbing pipes with lead solder, lead paint and lead in soil. Lead paint in homes is typically the greatest contributor to lead exposure for young children.

Lead solder was commonly used to join copper pipes until around 1986 when it was banned. As lead solder is in direct contact with copper pipe, lead could be released into the drinking water. Lead paint was banned for residential use in 1978. Homes built before this time may have lead-based paint and dust contaminated with lead-based paint.

Q.  How can i tell if my plumbing fixtures have lead or lead solder in them?

Some homes and buildings, especially those built before 1986 may have service lines and/or internal plumbing and fixtures that have lead. A licensed plumber can help figure out if you have lead material in your indoor plumbing.  

Q.  How do i know if i have a lead or lead-containing service line?

The City of Hoboken is working with property owners to help them verify their property's pipe material and implement a replacement program for lead service lines. Visit SURVEY to identify your water service line material.  

• If water service material in the building is found to be copper, a contractor may be hired to dig a test pit at the shut off valve in the sidewalk to verify the material from the water main in the street to the shut off valve at the curb. A Sidewalk Opening Permit will be required from the Engineering Department.

Renters should contact property owners to determine if their property has been inspected for lead service lines.

REPLACEMENT FAQs

For full details about replacements, please visit our Lead Service Line Replacement Hub: https://lead-service-line-replacement-cityofhoboken.hub.arcgis.com/

Q: If my service line is a lead or galvanized service line, will it be replaced by the city?

The City of Hoboken or its water system operator, Veolia, will contact you if you are in a street where water main and service line replacements are occurring to sign a Replacement Agreement and coordinate access into your home. If you would like to move forward with a replacement using your own contractor, please complete the permit forms located on the SERVICE LINE MAP & Survey page.

Q: What does it cost to replace my service line?  

As per the Hoboken City Code, the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of their water service line from the water main to the water meter. If property owners wish to replace their service line, they can contact a licensed plumber and do this immediately at their own cost. If there is no action taken by the property owner, the City of Hoboken will replace the identified lead service lines as required by amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the State Law and the Municipal and County Utilities Authorities Law that address Community Public Water Systems’ obligations for managing lead in drinking water.  

Q: How are landlords and renters impacted by lead service lines?

Renters should contact property owners to replace identified lead service lines at their property.

In November 2021, New Jersey passed additional legislation requiring a property condition disclosure statement to indicate the presence of lead plumbing in residential property.

Q: If my lead service line is replaced, will all the lead in my drinking water be removed?

Not necessarily. If you live in a building that was built before 1986, your plumbing fixtures may contain lead or lead solder used at the joints of your interior piping. A licensed plumber can help figure out if you have lead material in your indoor plumbing.  

Q: Why should i replace my service line?

Replacing your lead-containing service line protects your personal health and your family’s health. No amount of lead is safe for humans to consume. Young children (under 6 years old) and the elderly can be more affected by lead exposure. They, along with pregnant women, may be at a higher public health risk to lead.  

Q: What will replacement construction look like in my front yard/sidewalk area?

To get to the pipes underground, the contractor and crew will likely disturb a small section of sidewalk or yard (approximately a 4-foot by 4-foot area). The old service line will be replaced with a copper line. The new line will be connected to the water main in the street at one end and your building’s plumbing at the other.

Right after your replacement, the contractor will temporarily restore your yard, the sidewalk, and the street. The contractor will restore your grass with topsoil and seeding and replace asphalt or concrete. No trees will be removed unless first discussed with the property owner. They will completely restore your yard, sidewalk, and street within 60 days.

Q: What if i do not replace my service line?

Lead is a public health risk. According to the U.S. EPA, no safe level of lead can be consumed or ingested. The City of Hoboken strongly recommends replacing your service line now. If you don’t, you risk:

• Lead leaching into your drinking water. The City of Hoboken adds corrosion control treatment to the water in order to lower the risk of lead being released from service lines. However, even with this treatment, if you are away from your home or building for several hours or days, lead may leach into your drinking water sitting in the lead pipe.
• Higher replacement costs at a later date. Lead service lines are typically over 70 years old and will eventually fail. Homeowners who wait until their service line fails to replace it will most likely pay a high cost since it will be a single replacement during an emergency condition. The City of Hoboken does not reimburse homeowners for replacements conducted on their own.

ADDITIONAL FAQs

Q. How can lead get into drinking water?

When water arrives in the City of Hoboken from our supplier, Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority, it does not contain lead; it is safe to drink and complies with Federal and State standards. While the City does not have any lead water mains, lead can get into the drinking water from the corrosion of lead pipes or other parts made from lead, including the service line between the street and your home or building.  

Q. Should the City of Hoboken’s property owners be worried about lead in the drinking water?

Lead is not present in the water leaving the water treatment plant and there are no lead water mains (e.g., the large water pipes within the water distribution system).

Property owners should not have to worry about the safety of their drinking water. Your drinking water is treated under standards set by NJDEP (https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/pdf/wqp-fs-optimal.pdf) to prevent lead and copper from leaching into the drinking water by creating a coating on the inner walls of the pipes.

Q. Why is lead a public health risk?

Prolonged lead exposure can cause health problems. Pregnant women, young children and elderly adults are most impacted. In pregnant women, lead can be passed to the fetus through the placental membrane leading to premature deliveries and reduced growth. In young children, low levels of lead exposure have been related to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter height, impaired hearing, and impaired blood cell formation and function. For adults, high levels of lead exposure can cause damage to the kidneys, brain, and nervous system. According to the US EPA, there is no safe level of lead that can be consumed or ingested.

Q. How can I decrease lead exposure from my drinking water?

If you think you have a lead service line, you can take steps to decrease your lead exposure, including: 

• Run the cold water to flush out the lead. Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking or cooking any time the water in the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. The longer the water resides in plumbing the more lead it may contain. Flushing the tap means running the cold-water faucet. Let the water run from the cold-water tap based on the length of the lead service line and the plumbing configuration in your home. In other words, the larger the home or building and the greater the distance to the water main (in the street), the more water it will take to flush properly. Although toilet flushing or showering flushes water through a portion of the plumbing system, you still need to flush the water in each faucet before using it for drinking or cooking. Flushing tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your health. It usually uses less than one gallon of water. If you had recently replaced your lead service at your home, you should follow the flushing instructions detailed in this State of NJ Department of Environmental Protection resource page: https://www.state.nj.us/dep//watersupply/pdf/lslr-flushing-factsheet.pdf ‍
• Use cold, flushed water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Because lead from lead-containing plumbing materials and pipes can dissolve into hot water more easily than cold water, never drink, cook, or prepare beverages including baby formula using hot water from the tap. If you have not had your water sampled or if you know, it is recommended that bottled or filtered water be used for drinking and preparing baby formula. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold tap and then heat it. ‍
• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead; however, it is still safe to wash dishes and do laundry. Lead will not soak into dishware or most clothes. ‍
• Use alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters. ‍
• Determine if you have interior lead plumbing or solder. If your home/building was constructed prior to 1987, it is important to determine if interior lead solder or lead pipes are present. You can check yourself, hire a licensed plumber, or check with your landlord. ‍
• Replace plumbing fixtures and service lines containing lead. Replace brass faucets, fittings, and valves that do not meet the current definition of “lead free” from 2014 (as explained above). Visit the NSF website at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures. If you are planning to replace your lead service line, contact us at 201-420-2000 ext. 4010 or at water@hobokennj.gov. ‍
• Remove and clean aerators/screens on plumbing fixtures. Over time, particles and sediment can collect in the aerator screen. Regularly remove and clean aerators screens located at the tip of faucets and remove any particles. ‍
• Test your water for lead. Call us at 1-800-422-0141 for information regarding certified testing labs in the region. Testing is essential because you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. To find a certified lab for lead testing, go to the EPA resource page at  https://www.epa.gov/dwlabcert/contact-information-certification-programs-and-certified-laboratories-drinking-water.  ‍
• Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about lead exposure. New Jersey law requires that children be tested for lead in their blood at both 1 and 2 years of age and before they are 6 years old if they have never been tested before or if they have been exposed to a known source of lead.  ‍
• Have an electrician check your wiring. If grounding wires from the electrical system are attached to your pipes, corrosion may be greater. Check with a licensed electrician or your local electrical code to determine if your wiring can be grounded elsewhere. DO NOT attempt to change the wiring yourself because improper grounding can cause electrical shock and fire hazards. ‍
• Water softeners and reverse osmosis units will remove lead from water but can also make the water more corrosive to lead solder and plumbing by removing certain minerals; therefore, the installation of these treatment units at the point of entry into homes with lead plumbing should only be done under the supervision of a qualified water treatment professional.  

Q. What should I do if I suspect lead poisoning?

If you are concerned about lead poisoning, immediately visit: the U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline. Fill out the online form (U.S. EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water) or call 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).  

Q. Can I shower in lead-contaminated water?

Yes. Human skin does not absorb lead in water. Bathing and showering should be safe for you and your children, even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level.

Q. Where can I learn more?  

To learn more about what the City of Hoboken is doing to ensure the safety of your drinking water, visit: https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/hoboken-water-system.  

• For additional information on the health effects of lead and water service line efforts, please use the links below:  

Lead Water Service Line Information:

• Lead Service Line Programs Overview | American Water Works Association: https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Contaminants-of-Concern/Lead
• Lead Service Line Replacement Facts | Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative: https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/uploads/9/2/0/2/92028126/lslrc_fact_sheet_lsls.pdf

Health Information on Lead in Water

• Basic Lead in Drinking Water Information | EPA: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water  

Lead and Copper Rule

• Revised Lead and Copper Rule Information | EPA: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/revised-lead-and-copper-rule