Free Service Line Replacement Available for Galvanized Service Lines
Clean, safe and reliable drinking water is something we all depend on every day. At the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission (MPWC), protecting the quality of that water is a responsibility we take seriously.
One important part of that responsibility is identifying and replacing older water service lines that may contain lead or galvanized materials.
Since 2021, New Jersey has required public water systems to maintain an inventory of drinking water service line materials and take steps to address lines that may contain lead. MPWC has been actively working to identify service line materials throughout our service area and coordinate replacements where needed. While the majority of MPWC’s service lines are copper, there are still properties where the material needs to be identified or replaced. As of August 2026, MPWC has fewer than 600 customer service lines left to identify.
What Is a Water Service Line?
A service line is the pipe that carries water from the water main in the street directly into a customers’ home. That line generally has two portions. MPWC is responsible for the portion from the water main to the curb stop at the property boundary while the property owner is responsible for the portion from the curb stop into the home, including the property’s plumbing system.
This distinction is important because identifying and replacing a lead or galvanized service line can involve both MPWC and the property owner.
Why Are Lead Service Lines a Concern?
Lead was once the industry standard for smaller diameter, individual water pipes that supply water to the home because lead is strong and durable yet easy to work with. Older homes and buildings may therefore contain lead service lines, lead solder or other plumbing components.
Lead can enter drinking water when water comes into contact with lead-containing plumbing materials. Because lead can be harmful to human health, particularly for young children, infants and children, eliminating potential sources of lead exposure is an important public-health priority.
What Is MPWC Doing About Lead and Galvanized Service Lines?
MPWC has been proactively identifying older service lines and working toward their replacement.
New Jersey requirements call for water systems to maintain an inventory of service-line materials. To help complete this, MPWC has contacted customers through mailings, door hangers and in-person outreach. The Commission continues to work with customers whose properties have lead, galvanized or other non-conforming service lines.
MPWC also maintains a publicly available Lead Service Line Inventory and continues to update its information as identification and replacement work progresses. Customers can find the current Lead Service Line Inventory here.
This work is part of a larger, ongoing effort to modernize infrastructure and protect the long-term quality and reliability of the water system.
Does My Home Have a Lead Service Line?
If you live in an older home, there may be a possibility that some of the plumbing contains lead or other older materials. The age of a property alone, however, does not confirm the material of its service line.
MPWC is working to identify service line materials throughout its service area. Currently, fewer than 600 lines need to be assessed and their materials identified. Property owners unsure about the material of their service line should contact MPWC for verification of pipe material. A qualified plumber can also determine if your home contains lead-based plumbing fixtures.
If a MPWC technician needs to visit your property to verify a service line, personnel will be identifiable and will arrive in marked vehicles. Customers may be asked to provide access to the water meter and the area around the service connection.
What Can You Do to Reduce Potential Lead Exposure?
If you are concerned about lead in your home’s plumbing, there are several practical steps you can take:
- Don’t consume hot water from the faucet. If you need hot water for food or beverages, draw cold water and heat it separately. MPWC advises customers not to use hot tap water for drinking or food preparation as hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water.
- Flush stagnant water. If the water in your plumbing system has not been used for several hours or overnight, let it run for 15 to 30 seconds, before using it for drinking, cooking or preparing beverages.
- Consider testing your water. The most direct way to determine whether lead is present in your drinking water is to have the water tested by a certified laboratory.
- If you use a filter, choose one certified for lead reduction. Not every household water filter is designed to remove lead, so check the product’s certification before purchasing one for this purpose.
What Happens If My Service Line Needs to Be Replaced?
When a service line is identified as containing lead or another material that requires replacement, MPWC will work with the affected customer on the next steps.
MPWC’s current replacement efforts include customer-owned portions of service lines that are identified as lead, galvanized or other non-conforming materials. The Commission is currently offering to replace galvanized service lines with new copper piping free of charge to customers. Customers who have received a request from MPWC should respond promptly to address the matter.
Because responsibility can vary depending on which portion of the line is involved, customers with questions about their property’s specific situation should contact MPWC directly.
Protecting Water Quality Is a Shared Responsibility
Providing safe drinking water takes more than treating water at the plant. It requires maintaining treatment facilities, monitoring water quality, maintaining hundreds of miles of infrastructure, identifying aging materials and working with customers to address problems when they are found.
MPWC’s commitment to water quality extends throughout the entire system. The Commission continuously monitors its water system and treats its water to help prevent corrosion and protect drinking water quality.
As MPWC celebrates 100 years of serving the community in 2026, that commitment remains at the center of its mission: delivering clean, safe and reliable water to the people and communities we serve.
Have Questions About Your Service Line?
If you are unsure whether your property has been inventoried, have received a notification from MPWC, or have questions about the service line replacement process, contact our Customer Service team at 856-663-0043.
Customers can also visit MPWC’s Customer Service and Lead Service Line resources for the latest information, including the Lead Service Line Replacement FAQ and current inventory resources.
