01Lead service lines & pipe repair in Newark: at a glance
- City program
- Newark's lead service line program started in March 2019 and was completed in February 2022, replacing roughly 23,000–24,000 lines at no direct cost to residents
- What was replaced
- The service line from the water main to the house. Interior plumbing was not part of the program
- What may remain inside
- Galvanized steel supply pipe, older copper with lead solder, old faucets and fixtures
- Water utility
- Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities
- State law
- NJ's 2021 law requires utilities statewide to replace lead service lines, generally within 10 years
New to this topic? The general guide covers the basics: lead service lines & pipe repair.
02What's different in Newark
Many Newark homes are early-1900s two- and three-family houses. A new copper service line now brings water into the cellar, but from the meter onward the pipes are whatever the house had: often galvanized steel, sometimes with sections of newer copper or PEX from past repairs.
Galvanized pipe corrodes from the inside, which causes low pressure, rusty water, and leaks at threaded joints. It can also hold onto lead particles that came from the old service line upstream. That's why many Newark owners are now looking at the pipes inside the house.
03Typical situations
| Situation | What it usually means | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Service line replaced; galvanized pipes inside | Low pressure, rusty water, leaks at threads | Partial or full repiping with copper or PEX |
| Not sure whether the line was replaced | Possibly missed or declined | Check with the Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities, or have a plumber look where the pipe enters the cellar |
| Two- or three-family with one main line | Shared supply to all units | Repipe floor by floor; plan shutoffs with tenants |
| Old faucets and fixtures | Older brass fixtures can contain lead | Replace fixtures; clean aerators |
04How the job usually goes in Newark
- Identify the pipe materials from the service line inward: what enters the cellar, the meter area, and the risers to each floor
- Check pressure and flow on each floor
- Decide between fixing problem sections and repiping the house, often while walls are open for other work
- The plumber files a permit with Newark's construction office and schedules inspections
- Repipe in stages to limit water outages, then flush the system
05Permits, licenses & who to contact
- Interior repiping: NJ licensed master plumber, with a permit from the Newark construction office
- Service line questions: Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities
- Rentals: owners are generally responsible for plumbing in rental units
- How NJ plumbing permits work
06What affects the price in Newark
- How much galvanized pipe remains and how many floors and units
- Access: open walls during a renovation are cheaper than opening finished rooms
- Copper vs. PEX
- Coordinating water outages with tenants
- Permit and inspections
Prices are set by the plumber. Ask for the price, or how it will be calculated, before work starts.
07Before you call
Having this ready makes the first call faster:
- Whether your service line was replaced under the city program, and when
- Photos of the pipe where it enters the cellar and at the meter
- Number of units and floors
- Symptoms: low pressure, rusty water, leaks
- Any upcoming renovation
08Newark: frequently asked questions
My Newark service line was replaced. Is my water lead-free now?
The biggest source is gone, but older interior plumbing, solder and fixtures can still contribute. Follow the utility's guidance, flush taps that have sat, and consider testing.
How do I know if my house still has galvanized pipes?
Galvanized steel is gray, has threaded joints, and a magnet sticks to it. Copper is reddish. A plumber can check quickly.
Do I have to repipe the whole house?
Not always. If only some runs are corroded, partial repiping may be enough; widespread low pressure and leaks usually point to a full repipe.
09Related
More for Newark
Related local guides
More local guides coming.
Sources & review
Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.