Montclair Plans To Launch 'No Cost' Lead Service Line Replacement Program

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Water Bureau plans to launch a Lead Service Line Replacement Program in 2026 at no cost to homeowners, the township announced earlier this week.

Montclair is asking local property owners to help identify unknown water pipes as the town moves forward with a state-mandated replacement project.

New Jersey passed a state law in 2021 that requires water providers to replace all of their lead service lines within 10 years. Read More: New Jersey Is Replacing Its Lead Water Pipes – All Of Them

The pipes – which connect local homes and businesses to the local water supply – can potentially leach lead contamination as water passes through them. A portion of the pipes may be privately owned, complicating efforts to replace them.

Since then, towns, cities and water companies across the state have been moving forward with their plans to meet the new mandate, including Montclair. See Related: Race To Replace Lead Pipes Is On Pace, NJ's Largest Water Company Says

The town’s water bureau issued an update about the local effort on Tuesday.

“While Montclair’s water mains do not contain lead, the water service line running from the water main to your home may be made of lead, especially if your building was constructed before 1940,” the department explained.

The Montclair Water Bureau has compiled an inventory of lead, galvanized, brass, copper, and unknown service line materials throughout the township. This data has been submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and is available on the municipal website.

“The water bureau plans to launch a Lead Service Line Replacement Program in 2026 at no cost to homeowners,” Montclair officials said. “However, unknown service lines cannot be added to the project until they are identified. Please help us help you by sending photos of your service line before the meter and/or responding to township letters or letters from National Metering Services regarding meter replacements.”

For more information, contact the water bureau at DoIHaveLead@montclairnjusa.org (when emailing, include your home address in the subject line).

The water bureau will be reaching out to customers in the coming weeks to discuss next steps, officials added.

Here’s how to find out if you have a lead or galvanized service line, according to the Montclair Water Bureau:

• Find your address on the lead inventory list here. (Note: NJDEP requires the township to submit this list sorted by service account number, and not by address. If you have trouble finding your address, we recommend viewing the document on a computer and pressing Ctrl + F, which will open a search box where you can search your exact address).
• If your addressed is labeled as Galvanized (G) or Lead (L), in the "Public Service Line Materials" column, or it says Brass in the "Customer Service Line - Other Materials" column, please submit a picture of the water service material entering your home to DoIHaveLead@montclairnjusa.org
• If your address is labeled as Copper (C) in the "Public Service Line Materials" column, you do not need to take further action.

• If you need assistance, please make an appointment for the Water Bureau to inspect by calling 973-744-4600.

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