PVWC Urges Customers to Participate in Free Lead Service Line Replacement Program

CLIFTON, NJ - The Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) is encouraging customers to take part in its free, federally mandated Lead Service Line Replacement program, funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Executive Director Jim Mueller emphasized that participation in this health and safety initiative is open to all residents, not just landlords.

Mueller announced that there are approximately 610 homes in Clifton, Passaic, Paterson, and Prospect Park with unknown pipe materials that require visual inspection. In Paterson alone, 1,142 lines remain to be replaced, with 1,665 already completed, marking a 59% completion rate.

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"Lead in drinking water poses serious health risks, especially to young children and pregnant women," Mueller said. "Since 1984, PVWC has replaced more than 26,000 lead lines. Our current focus is on removing 6,500 customer-owned lead service lines."

PVWC is investing $36 million in this project, with a $27 million subsidy from the state significantly reducing the financial impact on customers. Since 2022, nearly 4,000 customer-owned lead service lines have been replaced, with about 2,000 lines remaining. The program is free for customers, and PVWC staff will restore properties to their prior condition after replacing lead lines.

Mueller, joined by local mayors and PVWC officials, stressed the importance of customer cooperation for access to homes for visual inspection and lead line replacement. He reassured residents that the initiative is strictly for lead line identification and replacement, with no concerns about code violations.

"This is a relatively painless process, and it won’t cost you anything," Mueller said. "If you did it on your own, it would cost around $10,000. By participating, we’re not only saving money, but we’re also saving lives."

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"We need our residents to trust us and allow access to their basements for these vital inspections and replacements," Mayor Andre Sayegh said. "This initiative is about protecting public health and ensuring the safety of our community. The process is free and will prevent the significant costs and health risks associated with lead contamination."

"We are now saying we've got to get this done," Ruby Cotton, who serves both Paterson's 4th Ward Councilperson and as a Commissioner on the PVWC Board of Directors, said. "We've asked for your cooperation, and we want to emphasize that we need access to your homes. Sometimes it depends on individual situations, but we need everyone to understand the importance of this initiative. We are here to answer any questions about the lead lines and assure you that this service is free and essential. We are grateful for everyone's cooperation in helping us achieve this goal."

Mayor Hector Lora of Passaic highlighted the potential health risks of lead contamination, urging residents to participate in the program. "This is about saving money and saving lives," Lora said. "It is free and in your best interest to allow us to replace these lead lines."

Residents can verify if they have lead service lines by visiting pvwc.com and using the address lookup tool or by calling 973-340-4300. PVWC staff, along with contracted partners, are actively working in the field to complete this critical public health initiative.

Mueller noted that the goal is to complete the contract by spring 2025, urging residents to act promptly to benefit from the free service and avoid potential future costs. "We have a compelling argument with available funding and a public health obligation to ensure the safety of our water supply."

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