01Homes in Somerset County and their plumbing
About 345,000 people lived in Somerset County at the 2020 Census.
| Building type | Where you'll often find it | Typical plumbing concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Suburban single-family houses | Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Franklin, Branchburg | Water heaters, sump pumps, sewer laterals |
| Older town homes | Somerville, Bound Brook, Raritan | Cast iron, galvanized supply, flood exposure |
| Homes on wells & septic | Rural areas of the county | Well pumps, septic |
02Common plumbing problems
- Basement flooding near the Raritan and Millstone rivers
- Sump pump failures
- Water heater replacement
- Frozen pipes
- Well and septic issues in rural areas
03Licensing & permits
- Who can do the work
- NJ licensed master plumbers, or employees under their supervision. A homeowner may work on their own single-family home. Details
- Permits
- Construction office of your municipality, under the NJ Uniform Construction Code. How NJ permits work
- Plumbing code
- National Standard Plumbing Code (UCC plumbing subcode)
- Lead service lines
- NJ water utilities must replace lead service lines, generally within 10 years of the 2021 law; you may get a letter from yours
04Water, sewer & gas
- Water
- NJ American Water, municipal systems and private wells
- Gas
- PSE&G or Elizabethtown Gas, depending on the town
- Sewer
- Regional and municipal systems; septic in rural areas
Providers vary by street and town. Your bill shows which one serves your address. Smell gas? Leave and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
05Cities & towns
- Bridgewater
- Somerville
- Hillsborough
- Franklin
- Bound Brook
- Branchburg
- Bernardsville
- Warren
06Somerset County plumbing FAQ
How often should a sump pump be checked?
Test it a few times a year by pouring water into the pit, and before storm season. Pumps that run often wear out sooner.
07Nearby areas
Sources & review
Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.