Guidance on Galvanized Water Service Lines

In accordance with New Jersey P.L. 2021, Chapter 183, signed into law July 2021, all public water systems are required to fully inventory their customer service lines and develop a replacement program to remove all identified lead or galvanized service lines in the system. In addition to preparing a comprehensive inventory of service line materials, the Clinton Water Department (CWD) is required to notify customers, non-paying consumers, and any off-site owner of a property (e.g., landlord) when it is known they are served by a lead or galvanized service line.

The CWD has prepared this guidance for residents that have galvanized services to supplement the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), “Notice of Lead Service Line Material”. The New Jersey legislation does not differentiate between lead or galvanized materials and under Chapter 183, and as such categorizes galvanized lines the same as lead lines. While our most recent inventory indicates that you have a galvanized service line on either the public and/or private portion of your service, we find it imperative that you understand the difference between a lead and galvanized service line.

What is galvanized pipe?

A galvanized pipe is a steel or iron pipe that has been dipped in a zinc coating to prevent corrosion and rust and prolong its lifespan. Galvanized pipes can serve as a potential source for lead exposure under certain system and material conditions. The coating used for galvanizing pipes comprises naturally occurring zinc, an impure substance, which may contain a small percentage of lead that can corrode and leach into the drinking water. Additionally, there is risk of lead exposure IF the galvanized piping is connected to lead plumbing, a phenomenon called galvanic corrosion, where two dissimilar metals connected in series can enhance corrosion at the point of connection. Finally, IF there are known lead service lines, research shows the transport of dissolved and particulate lead can accumulate on the surface of galvanized service lines and over time, the particles can enter the drinking water, causing elevated lead levels.

The Clinton Water System

The CWD has no known or identified lead services lines in its entire distribution system based upon historical records, as-built drawings, observations during service line replacement or repairs (on the public water system side), and interviews with senior personnel. As part of maintaining compliance with the current legislation, the CWD will continue to perform a materials evaluation of the system to further confirm the absence of lead in the distribution system.

The CWD is actively working to reduce lead exposure in the water system. Since the publication of the Federal Lead and Copper Rule in 1991, the CWD regularly tests for lead and copper at NJDEP approved sampling sites of high-risk homes in the distribution system. To date, the CWD has not experienced an action level exceedance (ALE) for lead contamination in the system.  For more information on the Lead and Copper Rule, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule.  The most recent lead and copper sampling result for the CWD can be found in our Annual Water Quality Report which accessible on the Town’s website at the following link: https://www.clintonnj.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif411/f/uploads/2021_ccr_rep....

For more information please contact:

Arthur A. Dysart, Water Superintendent

Town of Clinton Water Department

43 Leigh Street, PO Box 5194

Clinton, New Jersey 08809

Phone: 908-735-2265

www.clintonnj.gov

This notice is being sent to you by the Town of Clinton Water Department, State Water System ID #1005001.