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Thank you to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for the funding to make Trenton’s Lead Water Service Line Replacement Program possible. To learn more about the funds, click here.
Background
Trenton Water Works (TWW) is committed to providing its customers with a clean and reliable drinking water supply. Like other aging cities and water systems, the TWW water distribution system has older houses and buildings, many of which have lead service lines (LSLs). By State law, TWW must replace all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.
TWW owns the portion of the service line from the water main to the curb stop. The portion of the service line from the curb stop to the water meter is owned by the property owner.
The risks and health effects of lead exposure are well documented, particularly to infants, young children, pregnant women, and others with serious health conditions or compromised immune systems. The water from TWW’s reservoir and treatment plant is lead free, but when water sits in a lead pipe for hours it can pick up particles of lead from the pipe. Existing LSLs and lead solder in copper plumbing are the causes of lead in drinking water.
Since 2019, TWW has replaced nearly 30% of our LSLs. There are approximately 23,000 LSLs remaining in the TWW service area, which includes the City of Trenton, Ewing, parts of Hamilton Township, and Lawrence Township.
TWW has developed a Lead Service Line Replacement Program to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water by replacing lead service lines in TWW’s service area. This complies with Federal and State Lead and Copper Rule requirements.
Trenton Water Works must replace ALL lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.
Water Service Line Material Survey
Use the map on the Check Your Line page to learn if you might have a lead or galvanized service line.
If your service line is “unknown,” please help TWW identify it. Follow the guidance on the Check Your Line page to check the material of your water service line and fill out this survey to let us know your results.
Sign Up for LSL Replacement
Our replacement contractors go door-to-door in neighborhoods where work is planned to invite customers with lead or galvanized service lines to sign-up for their free service line replacement. If you are not home, they will leave a doorhanger with their contact information and sign-up instructions. Call the contractor to make an appointment. All appointments are free. No TWW contractor will ask a customer for payment.
Complete the sign-up form when the TWW approved contractor contacts you!
You MUST complete the sign-up form to have your lead or galvanized line replaced for free. Even if you do not want free replacement, we still need to hear from you. Please let the contractor know you are not interested in replacement. If you opt-out of this free replacement, you will be required to replace your lead or galvanized service line at your own expense within 90 days of the offer of replacement. You must submit proof of the completed work to TWW at twwleadprogram@trentonnj.org.
Once you have signed up for replacement, the contractor will reach out to schedule. Weather, contractor availability, and municipal regulations play roles in the work timeline.
Replacement Program Schedule
TWW’s Replacement Program is a phased effort to maximize federal and state funding to reduce the cost to ratepayers. The program’s progress greatly depends on year-to-year availability of federal and state funding. Funding for Phase 1, 2, and 4 is provided by the New Jersey Water Bank (NJWB), part of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank). NJWB funds non-partisan infrastructure projects that ensure access to safe drinking water for New Jersey residents. Funding for Phase 3 is provided by a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Grant.
TWW’s Replacement Program is a multi-phased effort.
To learn more about NJWB, please visit: https://dep.nj.gov/wiip/njwb-process/about-us/. Contractors are currently working in parts of Trenton (Phase 3) and Hamilton (Phase 4). More phases will be planned. All customers with lead and galvanized lines will be included in current or later phases. See the Progress page for more information about the current program phases.
Need Help?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the program
Looking for something else? Let us know or visit www.trentonnj.org.