New Jersey American Water officially took over Hopewell Borough's water system on June 30, and the company is now mapping out a multi-year push to swap lead and galvanized service lines at no cost to homeowners. Here is what's changing, when, and how NJ homeowners anywhere can push for the same.
What actually changed on June 30
New Jersey American Water completed its purchase of Hopewell Borough's municipal water system for $6.4 million, closing a deal that 58 percent of Hopewell voters approved at referendum back in November 2025. The company now serves the roughly 900 connections that were previously run by the borough itself, alongside the roughly 3 million people it already serves across more than 190 New Jersey communities.
Part of the deal includes shutting down the borough's Well No. 4, which had elevated PFAS levels, and shifting Hopewell's supply over to New Jersey American Water's existing Canal Road and Raritan-Millstone treatment plants. For residents, that means a different source, different treatment, and a different bill, with separate quarterly water and sewer statements replacing the borough's old combined bill.
New Jersey American Water has pledged more than $7 million in infrastructure investment across the first five years of ownership, starting with meter replacements within the first few months and moving into main and service line work through the rest of 2026.
The lead and galvanized line commitment, in plain terms
The headline item for homeowners is the utility's commitment to identify and replace both utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized steel service lines, the pipe segment that runs from the water main into an individual house, over the next several years. Historically, replacing the customer-owned portion of a lead line has fallen on the homeowner's own dime, often running several thousand dollars once excavation and restoration are factored in.
Under this program, New Jersey American Water is handling that customer-side replacement as part of the acquisition commitment, at no direct cost to the homeowner. Residents can report their own service line material through the utility's online portal to help the company prioritize which addresses need attention first.
Crews are expected to begin identifying and upgrading aging water meters and swapping lead and galvanized service lines starting in early August, working street by street alongside new meter pits installed near the curb where access allows.
Why this matters even if you are not in Hopewell
New Jersey's 2021 lead service line law, P.L.2021, Ch.183, requires every community water system in the state, not just New Jersey American Water customers, to identify all lead service lines, notify the public where they exist, and replace all of them by 2031. The state has roughly 350,000 known lead service lines and more than 1 million lines of unknown material still to be identified, so Hopewell is one small piece of a much larger, state-mandated cleanup already underway.
If you are a homeowner anywhere in New Jersey or Pennsylvania and you do not know what your service line is made of, that is worth finding out now rather than waiting for a notice in the mail. Many utilities offer a free lookup tool, and a licensed plumber can usually confirm the material with a simple visual check at the meter or curb stop in a single visit.
For Hopewell residents specifically, the West Broad Street main replacement starting around July 27 runs through late September, with full road restoration expected by December, so expect some construction noise and temporary water pressure changes on that stretch through the fall.
Figures reflect New Jersey American Water's announced Hopewell Borough acquisition terms and New Jersey's statewide lead service line replacement law.
5 Things To Do If Your NJ Or PA Utility Announces A Lead Line Program
A free replacement offer is good news, but only if you act on it. Here is how to make sure your home gets covered.
- Check your service line material first: Look up your address on the utility's online portal or ask a plumber to inspect the pipe at the meter or curb stop, since lead, galvanized, copper, and plastic all look different.
- Confirm whether the customer-side portion is included: Some programs only replace the utility-owned segment in the street; ask specifically whether the portion running under your yard to your house is covered at no cost.
- Ask about the timeline for your street: Large programs move block by block over years, so get an estimated window for your address rather than assuming it happens immediately.
- Flush your line after any nearby main work: Construction and line replacement can dislodge sediment or lead particles temporarily; running cold water for a few minutes after work on your block is a simple precaution.
- Keep your utility's dust and pressure warnings in mind: Expect temporary discoloration, lower pressure, or shutoffs during active construction, and report anything that persists more than a day or two.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Hopewell homeowners have to pay anything for the new lead service line replacement?
- New Jersey American Water has committed to replacing both utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized service lines at no direct cost to the homeowner as part of the acquisition, though homeowners should confirm scope and timing for their specific address with the utility.
- How do I find out if my New Jersey home has a lead service line?
- Check your water utility's online lookup tool if one is available, or have a licensed plumber inspect the line at the curb stop or water meter. New Jersey law requires utilities to notify customers if a lead line is identified at their address.
- What is the deadline for New Jersey to replace all lead service lines?
- State law requires every community water system in New Jersey to identify and replace all lead service lines by 2031, covering both utility-owned and privately owned segments.
- Will construction on West Broad Street affect my water pressure?
- Yes, temporarily. Main replacement work often causes pressure changes or brief shutoffs on the affected block; residents near active construction should expect some disruption through the project's completion.