Water Lead/Copper Service Line Program
Below is some helpful information about the 'Notice of Unknown Service Line Composition' letter that was sent by the Borough on September 4, 2025.
- Why did you get the letter? The NJDEP and USEPA require an inventory of all service line materials for all water systems which we have been working to identify and update since at least 2021.
- Starting November 15, 2024, the USEPA now requires that water systems must notify people if the full extent of the service line has not been completely identified yet (both privately owned and publicly owned portions as shown on the diagram in the letter you received).
- Since the materials are unknown, the letter provides the USEPA required ‘Health Effects of Lead’ and ‘Steps You Can Take to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water.’
- We are continuing to work on updating our inventory and to meet the NJ requirement of replacement of all lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.
As part of New Jersey’s legislative mandate to remove all lead service lines (including galvanized iron) by July 2031, water utilities need to determine the material type of every service line in their water system. Ho-Ho-Kus Water continues its work to determine the service line material for those properties where the material type is currently unknown. We will be out to inspect all service lines by digging small holes in the right-of-way adjacent to each property, allowing us to expose both sides of the valve that connects the main in the street to the service line running to a home or business. We will then document the material type of both the main-to-curb (utility-owned) and curb-to-building (privately owned by homeowner/business) portions.
- Once the work has been performed, Ho-Ho-Kus Water staff will fill in the hole that was dug and will level with topsoil. When seasonally appropriate, Ho-Ho-Kus Water will return to the property to seed, pave and or replace sidewalks as necessary in an effort to restore the right-of-way to its original condition, as best as possible.
- Homeowners or businesses who are found to have a lead service line will receive a certified letter from Ho-Ho-Kus Water informing them of the material type that was found. The letter also includes information on health effects of lead, sources of lead in drinking water, and steps to be taken to reduce exposure.
- Should you have any additional questions, please contact Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Hall at (201) 652-4400 ext. 231 to speak with the Borough Administrator.
- NJ DEP - Lead Reduction Resource
Click here to look up a property service line: Lead/Copper Service Line Inventory Report 2025
Service Line Categories:
- C - Copper
- G - Galvanized
- L - Lead
- LC - Lead connector
- NL - Non-Lead
- O - Other
- P - Plastic
- UL - Lead status unknown
- UX - Unknown
What Is A Water Service Line?
Water service lines are small pipes that carry water from the Ho-Ho-Kus Borough's water mains, located in the streets, to individual homes and buildings. Service lines can be made of plastic, brass, copper, cast iron, ductile iron, lead, or galvanized steel.
Service line ownership is shared between Ho-Ho-Kus Borough and property owners. The Borough owns the service line from the main in the street to the curb stop, typically at the property line or in the sidewalk. The property owner owns the service line from the curb stop to the meter inside the home.