In an effort to eradicate lead pipes in Hoboken, yesterday, April 5th, the City launched a new program where Hoboken property owners can apply for a $1000 grant to replace their lead service lines. Accordingly, there are no lead water mains in Hoboken, but it’s possible that a property owner’s service line from the water main to their meter could still contain lead as it was the industry standard for small-diameter water pipes prior to June 1986. Applicants for the program must be Hoboken residents who own their homes and have verified that their property’s pipes contain lead materials. This is an effort from Hoboken Water Utility to replace all service lines with lead present, as mandated by Governor Phil Murphy back in July of 2021. The City of Hoboken hopes to eliminate all lead service lines in town by 2031. Read on to learn more about the City’s new lead service line replacement grants.
The April 5th Press Release
On Tuesday, April 5th, the City of Hoboken sent out a press release informing residents of its recent initiative to help Hoboken property owners replace their lead service lines. The press release reads:
“The City of Hoboken today launched online applications for its Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program, which aims to provide eligible Hoboken property owners with $1,000 in funding to replace their lead service lines.
The program is part of the Hoboken Water Utility’s initiative to ensure high-quality service through the identification and replacement of all lead service lines citywide as mandated by Governor Phil Murphy’s adoption of amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and Municipal and County Utilities Authorities Law.
Read More: Hoboken Street Parking Explained
The online application is available at www.hobokennj.gov/lslr-
The press release continued: “The Utility launched the City’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program in 2022, which aims to replace all lead service lines by 2031. Through a partnership with property owners, lead service lines will be prioritized and replaced through scheduled paving work, scheduled water main replacement work, or as identified as areas with high densities of children, areas of high-density lead service lines or unknown service lines, and as areas of overburdened environmental justice communities.
The Utility provides residents with free at-home testing kits to identify service line materials upon request. Residents can take sample swabs of their service line, which are then submitted to 120 Water, for verification of pipe material.”
The City also provided a resource as to how you can request a testing kit by visiting www.hobokennj.gov/lslr-test
“While no lead is present in the water leaving the treatment plant and there are no lead water mains in Hoboken, it is possible that a property owner’s service line from the water main to their meter could contain lead as lead was the industry standard for small-diameter water pipes prior to June 1986.
See More: An Update on the Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Project
Hoboken’s water system is treated under standards set by NJDEP Water Quality Parameters to prevent lead and copper from leaching into the drinking water. This treatment has been established as a safe and effective strategy for water utilities nationwide, and the City of Hoboken’s water utility also does regular Water Quality Parameter and Lead & Copper testing as per the Lead & Copper Rule, to monitor the treatment’s effectiveness. “
You can read more about the program + view an interactive service line map here.
To stay in the know of all things Hoboken + Jersey City, follow @TheHobokenGirl on Instagram + TikTok.
