Water Company Knocking On Doors In Middletown: What You Need To Know

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Starting in February, New Jersey American Water will be knocking on doors in Middletown, and throughout Monmouth County.

Employees from a contractor hired by the water company, CDM Smith, will ask homeowners to let them inside and inspect the home's water pipes. They are looking to see if your water pipes contain lead, which the water company will then try to replace.

You do not have to let them inside.

"Customers’ participation is highly encouraged, but always voluntary — they do not have to let canvassers inside," a spokesman for NJ American Water said this week.

However, the water company says it has to comply with a 2021 New Jersey law — advocated for and signed by Gov. Phil Murphy — that requires all water providers in New Jersey check all service lines and replace those confirmed to be lead or galvanized steel. At the time, Murphy stated a goal of replacing all lead service lines by 2031.

NJ American Water launched their Lead Service Line Replacement Program in 2022.

Then, in 2024 President Joe Biden said he would give the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency $123.1 million to replace lead pipes nationwide. President Biden said he wanted to "replace every lead pipe in the country."

NJ American Water says it will cost them approximately $7.3 million to replace all their customers' lead service lines.

However, the cost will also be paid by customers: Starting in February 2023, NJ American Water started adding a Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) charge to all customers' monthly bills. The surcharge for the average residential customer will be $0.91 per month.

"Regarding canvassing, we recognize that some customers may feel hesitant about letting someone into their home," said NJ American Water spokeswoman Chelsea Kulp. "If this is the case, we will need homeowners' support in self-identifying their service line material and reporting it to us."

Customers can do this by visiting their website, www.newjerseyamwater.com/leadfacts where they can search their address, and see if their service line is classified as unknown. If it is unknown, they can follow the steps to self-identify and send their findings back to the water company through a short survey.

New Jersey American Water customers can schedule an appointment online here.