The same law says each public community water system is "encouraged to complete the replacement of all lead service lines" within 10 years, and its bill summary speaks of inventory and replacement within 10 years. We kept to that wording; the law took effect immediately.
What should you do first?
Start at the tap. EPA's advice is cold water only when you drink, cook or mix baby formula, and a run of the tap after water has sat. Boiling does not remove lead.
Then find out who owns which stretch of pipe. Stafford's duty stops at a named point near the street, and the rest falls to the owner, as our brief on that boundary explains. Ask your own utility where its line ends. A New Jersey licensed master plumber can look at the part inside the house; our story on hiring covers what to check.
What do local reports say?
Brick Township MUA's 2025 report states that it "does not have any lead service lines." It also records three administrative violations from the state in 2024, because inventory information, a plan and a progress report were not submitted. Its own account is worth reading. Stafford's archived page mentions a 2025 service line inventory for Beach Haven West. Other suppliers' positions are for their own reports to state.
Does the federal limit change this?
It changes the level, on a later date. EPA's final rule lowers the lead action level from 15 to 10 ug/L and requires most systems to replace lead lines within 10 years. EPA says systems begin complying in late 2027, and until then the 15 ppb rule applies. We could not establish whether any court challenge has changed that.
Also asked
Does a notice mean lead is in my water today?
It describes the pipe's material, and a water test answers a separate question. Ask the utility about testing at your tap.
I rent. Does this reach me?
Yes. The law's written notice covers tenants as well as owners.