01Homes in Union County and their plumbing
About 575,000 people lived in Union County at the 2020 Census.
| Building type | Where you'll often find it | Typical plumbing concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Two- & multifamily houses | Elizabeth, Linden, Roselle, Plainfield | Shared drains, water heaters per unit, lead lines |
| Older single-family houses | Westfield, Summit, Cranford | Cast iron, galvanized supply, renovations |
| Suburban houses | Union, Clark, Scotch Plains, Rahway | Sump pumps, water heaters, sewer laterals |
02Common plumbing problems
- Basement water and sump pumps, especially near the Rahway River
- Water heater replacement
- Sewer lateral roots
- Old galvanized supply pipes
- Frozen pipes
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, Elizabethtown Water and municipal systems
- Gas
- Elizabethtown Gas or PSE&G, depending on the town
- Sewer
- Municipal and regional sewer authorities
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
- Elizabeth
- Union
- Westfield
- Summit
- Cranford
- Plainfield
- Linden
- Rahway
- Scotch Plains
- Clark
- Roselle
06Union County plumbing FAQ
Who issues plumbing permits in Union County?
The construction office of the town where the property is, under the NJ Uniform Construction Code.
07Nearby areas
Sources & review
Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.