Kitchen sink. (Photo: Shorebeat)
An unfunded state mandate that requires municipalities to report on the status of every home’s water lines could come with significant costs to Lavallette, which in turn may be avoided if homeowners fill out an online survey informing the borough on their water systems.
Councilman David Finter said the borough will be required to foot the bill that comes as part of a 2021 law passed by the state legislature that requires municipal governments to take an inventory of water pipelines entering homes. While the law was aimed primarily toward reducing the use of lead pipes and solder in urban settings developed before environmental laws precluded its use, the task is required statewide and the state has not provided funding for compliance. If residents do not submit the surveys, Finter said, inspectors will need to be hired to obtain the data.
The law also requires all community water systems to replace lead and galvanized service lines in their service area within 10 years.
Generally, homes will be fitted with copper water service lines, polyethylene (plastic) lines, or galvanized lines. Photos of each are available on the borough’s website. Homeowners can match up the look of their water lines to the photos and submit their findings to the borough.
The website and photos are located at this address.
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