Elizabeth City- 2004, NJ · PWSID NJ2004002
NJ American Water - Raritan lead service lines
6,019 lead or galvanized lines to replace
NJ American Water - Raritan reported 429 lead and 5,590 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 222,321 in its inventory. That's about 1 in 37 lines. Another 76,716 (35%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #7 of 240 New Jersey systems with confirmed lead lines, and #84 nationally.
2.7% of NJ American Water - Raritan's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's lower than the New Jersey average (4.5%) and about the same as the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0.2%
- Galvanized (replace) 2.5%
- Unknown 35%
- Non-lead 63%
Total service lines reported: 222,321. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 615,430; 205,035 connections.
Lead test results
NJ American Water - Raritan's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (2026) was 1 ppb, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 9,470 in 2025 Q1 to 6,019 in 2026 Q3: down 3,451 (36%). Lines of unknown material went from 124,725 to 76,716, down 48,009 (38%).
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations for NJ American Water - Raritan since 2015. That covers testing, reporting, corrosion control and public notice requirements; it isn't a guarantee about any individual home.
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
NJ American Water - Raritan's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It buys treated water from NJ American Water - Short Hills, Newark Water Department, NJ American Water - Liberty, Middlesex Water Company. The seller treats the water, including corrosion control that keeps lead from dissolving out of pipes, while NJ American Water - Raritan is responsible for its own service line inventory and replacement program. It sells water to 11 other water systems: NJ American Water - Short Hills, Flemington Water Department, Hopewell Boro W Dept, Aqua NJ - Lawrence, Edison Water Co, South Brunswick TWP W Di, Middlesex Water Company, Franklin Township Dept of Public Works, NJ American Water - Liberty, Rahway Water Department, Winfield Mutual Housing.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask NJ American Water - Raritan whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Union County
Cities served
- Lead pipes in Plainfield
- Lead pipes in Linden
- Lead pipes in Westfield
- Lead pipes in Princeton
- Lead pipes in South Plainfield
- Lead pipes in North Plainfield
- Lead pipes in Roselle
- Lead pipes in Middlesex
- Lead pipes in Somerville
- Lead pipes in Roselle Park
- Lead pipes in Bound Brook
- Lead pipes in Manville
- Lead pipes in Raritan
- Lead pipes in Kenilworth
- Lead pipes in Dunellen
- Lead pipes in Fanwood
- Lead pipes in Mountainside
- Lead pipes in Watchung
- Lead pipes in Garwood
- Lead pipes in South Bound Brook
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside NJ American Water - Raritan's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
070160702307027070330703607059070600706207063070660706907076070800708307088070900709207203072040720508502085280853608540085420854408550085580880508807088120882208835088360884408846088540886908876088800888708890
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| NJ American Water - Liberty | 332 | 6,681 |
| Rahway Water Department | 228 | 1 |
| Winfield Mutual Housing | 0 | 0 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does NJ American Water - Raritan have lead pipes?
Yes. NJ American Water - Raritan reported 429 lead service lines and 5,590 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 222,321 total. 76,716 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on NJ American Water - Raritan's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will NJ American Water - Raritan replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has NJ American Water - Raritan had lead violations?
EPA's data shows no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for NJ American Water - Raritan.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "NJ American Water - Raritan lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/nj/nj-american-water-raritan/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.