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Thank you to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) for funding Phases 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for funding Phase 3, and the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for generously subsidizing Trenton’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program. To learn more about the funds, see the Progress page for more information.
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.
How Do I Participate?
Contractor’s will contact you when your property when they are in your area. 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 door hanger with their contact information and sign-up instructions. Please read the instructions carefully call the contractor to schedule your free appointment. No TWW contractor will ask a customer for payment and signing the Right of Entry form the contractor presents is the only way to sign up.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Complete the sign-up Right of Entry form when the TWW approved contractor contacts you!
Important! You Must Complete the Sign-Up Form when the contractor reaches out
To receive your free replacement, you must complete the sign-up form before a contractor can schedule the replacement.
Your response is required: If you do not want free replacement, you still need to respond to the form to let the contractor know that you are not interested in the replacement. If you choose to 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.
Submit proof of the completed work to TWW at twwleadprogram@trentonnj.org.
What Happens After You Sign the Right-of-Entry Form
Once you have signed the Right-of-Entry form and your property is on an active contract, the approved contractor will reach out to schedule a date for the replacement work.
Things like weather, contractor availability, and municipal regulations may affect the contractor’s work schedule.
See the Progress page for more information about the current replacement progress and contact information for each phase of work.
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 as well as ongoing road and water infrastructure projects. For more information on funding from each phase, click here.
TWW’s Replacement Program is a multi-phased effort.
We’re Making Progress – Replacements Are Underway!
Phase 1 and 2 Replacements have been completed. Currently, contractors are working in:
Trenton (Phase 3 and 5),
Hamilton (Phase 4), and
Ewing and Lawrence (Phase 5).
More phases will be planned to meet the 2031 deadline. 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 replacement program phases.
Need Help?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the program
Looking for something else?
www.trentonnj.org.