New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation on July 22 that will require the inventory, replacement, and financing of lead service lines throughout the state within the next 10 years.
According to the Associated Press, the law requires community water systems to deliver an inventory of lead service lines to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection within six months, with a more detailed report in a year and follow-up reports two years following enactment until all the lead pipes are replaced. The law makes New Jersey the latest state, along with California, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, to call for an inventory of the number of lead pipes that carry drinking water to residents.
“These new laws will accelerate our work to protect every New Jersey community by requiring every lead service line across the state to be replaced over the next ten years,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “New Jersey residents can rest assured that while lead lines are replaced DEP will be protecting their health every day by mandating all water systems to undertake proactive lead risk reduction measures.”
