Municipalities can replace lead service lines in NJ homes, under new law

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law on Thursday to allow municipalities to enter New Jersey homes to replace lead service pipes.

Under the law, a municipality is authorized to enter a person’s property to perform lead service line replacements after providing notice to the owner and any residents at least 72 hours in advance of scheduled work.

Assembly Democrats Eliana Pintor Marin, D-29th District; Shanique Speight, D-29th District; and Gary Schaer, D-36th District, sponsored Assembly Bill 5854 that became law immediately.

“This law will help municipalities address the problem with greater urgency, both in Newark and statewide,” Pintor Marin said. “It’s an extremely time-sensitive issue and by authorizing municipalities to enter properties to replace lead service lines, we will ensure the job gets done properly and expeditiously.”

In municipalities where 10 percent or more of the residents speak a primary language other than English, a letter or written notice to inform of scheduled work will be provided in those languages.

Municipalities are also required to send the property owner a letter by certified mail after completing a service line replacement to give a brief summary of when and what work was performed.