Paterson Residents Encouraged to Participate in Lead Water Service Line Replacement Program

Gabriella Dragone
TAPinto Patterson

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The Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) has started removing and replacing approximately 6,500 lead service lines in its owner cities of Paterson, Clifton and Passaic. The commission will continue inspecting about 11,000 additional service lines with unknown material. 

“While we are pleased to start replacing these lead service lines in our owner cities, we need our customers to participate in this free program,” PVWC Executive Director Jim Mueller said. “Lead is bad and any exposure to lead is not considered safe, that’s why we’re continuing to get the lead out as we have been doing since the 1980s.” 

​Replacing lead service lines normally costs upwards of $10,000, but PVWC is doing it free of charge for customers in its own cities. The replacement initiative is being funded by a 77% principal forgiveness Loan from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. A law signed by Governor Phil Murphy in July 2021 requires water systems in New Jersey to identify all lead service lines, provide public notification regarding the presence of lead service lines, and replace all lead service lines by 2031.