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Water Service Lines
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Water service lines are the pipes that carry water from the TWW’s water mains in the street into homes/buildings. TWW owns the water service lines from the water main in the street to the curb stop. Individual property owners own the service line from the curb stop to the meter inside their building.
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Check the map to review the material information on both sides of the service line. If the material on the property owner's side is unknown or you would like to double-check the material, you can inspect the water service line using the Check Your Line tools and guidance and fill out this survey to let us know your results.
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You are not alone. There are approximately 23,000 lead or galvanized steel lines in our system that will be replaced.
If your property is in a current replacement phase, the contractor will reach out to you regarding replacement. Please follow the contractor instructions and respond to the contractor immediately. You MUST complete the sign-up form to have your lead or galvanized line replaced for free.
If you do not want to wait for TWW to replace your line for free, you can replace the line at your own convenience and expense. Let TWW know when you are done so TWW can schedule the utility side replacement. Contact us at twwleadprogram@trentonnj.org.
Even if you do not want a free replacement, TWW still needs to hear from you. Please complete and return the refusal part of the form.
If you opt out of this free replacement, you will be required to replace your lead or galvanized service line on your own within 90 days of the offer of replacement, at your own expense. You must submit proof of the completed work to TWW at twwleadprogram@trentonnj.org.
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Replacing lead service lines disturb the pipes and can temporarily increase lead levels in drinking water.
After replacement, be sure to follow these steps:
After an initial flush of the replaced service line is completed, start at the lowest level and remove the faucet aerators from all cold water taps in the home. Fully open the water taps throughout the home for 30 minutes. Be sure to include bathtubs and showers. When the last cold water tap on the highest level has flushed for 30 minutes, turn off each tap starting from the highest level of the home. Rinse the aerators and showerheads thoroughly with cold water to remove grime and other stubborn buildup. We recommend replacing any faucet with a worn-out aerator or screen if you cannot remove or clean the aerators or screens thoroughly.
Always use fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
Regularly change or clean out all faucet screens and aerators. Contact Trenton Water Works at 609-989-3600 or by email at twwleadprogram@trentonnj.org if you have questions
For more information, review the following:
What to Expect During Lead Service Line Replacement
Denver Water – How to Clean Aerators and Flush Pipes after Replacement
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Ask the insurance company before replacing the service line on your own.
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According to the U.S. EPA, there is no safe level of lead that can be consumed or ingested. TWW strongly recommends replacing your lead service line when TWW offers it.
Health Risk. Lead is a neurotoxin and is a public health risk. Lead can leach into your drinking water. TWW adds corrosion control treatment to the water in order reduce lead getting into your drinking water. However, if you are away from your home or building for several hours or days, lead may still leach into your drinking water sitting in the lead pipe. For more information about health effects of lead visit the EPA’s Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water page or the New Jersey DOH’s Lead in Drinking Water Fact Sheet’s [English] [Español].
Financial Risk. Lead service lines are a financial risk. You risk higher replacement costs later. Lead and galvanized service lines are typically over 70 years old and are extremely brittle. They break more easily. Property owners who wait until their service line breaks will most likely pay a higher replacement cost since it will be an emergency condition.
Legal risk. The City of Trenton passed Ordinance 20-24 that has fines associated with non-compliance.
What if I need my side of the line replaced now and TWW won’t be in my neighborhood for a long time?
Certain municipalities may have Community Block Development Grants (CBDG) that have funds set aside for customer-side lead service line replacements. These grants have age and income qualifications. Inquire within your municipality for more information.
Lead in Drinking Water
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Lead is most dangerous to children younger than six years old and people who are pregnant. Lead can hurt a child's brain and nervous system and slow down growth and development. People exposed to lead as children can have lifelong difficulties with learning and behavior and may have trouble paying attention. Drinking water is only one source of lead. A person can also be exposed to lead from paint, dust, and contaminated soil. Imported candies, cosmetics, toys, and other products may also contain lead. For more information about health effects of lead visit the EPA’s Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water page or the New Jersey DOH’s Lead in Drinking Water Fact Sheet’s [English][Español]. For more information on other sources of lead, visit the EPA’s Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead page or the New Jersey DOH’s Lead Overview page.
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No level of lead is considered safe for consumption.
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When water leaves TWW’s Filtration Plant, it is lead free. The water mains in the street that transport water from the treatment plant are made mostly of iron and steel, and do not add lead to the drinking water.
Lead can get into drinking water from the plumbing inside your home or the service line between the street and your home. When water is stagnant in the service line or your home plumbing without being used for several hours, the lead may dissolve into the water. That is why you should flush your lines every morning.
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No. If you live in a home that was built prior to 1986, it is possible that lead solder was used at the joints of your interior copper piping. If you suspect that you have lead solder based on the age of your home, flush your system by running cold water for approximately 1 to 3 minutes whenever the water in your home has not been used for more than 6 hours. Use a pitcher filter. Visit this link to learn more about water filters. A licensed plumber can help evaluate whether you have lead material in your indoor plumbing.
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Lead was commonly used for water service lines until 1960 and commonly used in household plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) and solder until 1986, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as, “Lead free”. After 2014, standards for “Lead free” fixtures allow no more than 0.25% of lead content. Many homes and buildings, especially those built before 1986, may have service lines and/or internal plumbing and fixtures that are made of or contain lead.
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TWW is committed to providing you with safe, clean drinking water and lowering lead levels at the tap by:
Using corrosion control treatment to minimize lead from getting into drinking water from lead service lines and plumbing fixtures.
Regularly sampling and testing the drinking water to monitor lead levels in accordance with all federal and state safety standards.
Removing and replacing lead service lines throughout TWW’s distribution system.
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Yes. A certified laboratory can perform that test. Click this link to find a state-approved laboratory. They will provide instructions for collecting water samples. If you have a lead or galvanized service line, you may be eligible to become an official TWW sampling site. Contact twwleadprogram@trentonnj.org.
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In Trenton, lead was commonly used for water service lines until 1960 and commonly used in household plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) and solder until 1986, when it was banned. From 1986 to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead to be categorized as, “Lead free”. However, current standards for “Lead free” fixtures allow no more than 0.25% of lead content.
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Your local doctor or health care provider can perform a blood test for lead and give you information about the health effects of lead. You can find out more about how to get your child tested and how to pay for it at https://www.nj.gov/health/childhood-lead/.
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If your house or apartment was built before 1978, you may have lead paint in your home or other conditions that may affect the health of your family. Lead-based paint, even if hidden under layers of newer, lead-free paint, can break down because of age, poor maintenance, or household repairs. Lead can also be found in soil, jewelry, toys, and older pottery. Visit the EPA’s Protect Your Family From Sources of Lead page or the New Jersey DOH’s Lead Overview page for more information on the sources of lead.
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Replace your lead service line.
Always buy plumbing fixtures (faucets, valves, sinks, shower heads, hose bibs, etc.) that have zero- or low-lead content. Read the labels of any new plumbing fixtures closely.
Run your cold water tap to flush out lead. Run the tap until the water feels cold. Then fill a pitcher with fresh water and place in the refrigerator for future use.
Always use fresh, cold, running water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
Do not boil water for the purpose of removing lead. Boiling water does not remove lead and can increase lead concentration in water.
Every 3 months, remove and clean aerators/screens at the tip of faucets to remove build up.
Obtain a home water treatment device that is NSF53 certified to remove lead.
Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with lead solder.
Water service lines are sometimes used to ground electrical lines. The wiring in your home or building may be attached to your water service line or elsewhere in your plumbing. If you have a lead service line, this can accelerate its corrosion. Have a licensed electrician check your wiring.
Be careful of other sources of lead in your home. Some household items such as pottery, makeup, toys, and jewelry may contain lead. Wash your children’s hands and toys often. For more information on other sources of lead, visit the EPA’s Protect Your Family From Sources of Lead page or the New Jersey DOH’s Lead Overview page. You can also contact your local health departments using the information below:
Trenton Department of Health and Human Services: 609-989-3332
Hamilton Township Department of Health, Recreation, Senior and Veterans Services: 609-890-3686
Ewing Township Health Department: (609) 883-2900
Lawrence Township Health Department: (609) 844-70890