Lead Lines Update (April 8, 2024)

At the March 27th, 2024 Council Meeting, Ordinance 1920 was introduced for First Reading. This proposed ordinance addresses a special assessment option to replace lead or galvanized pipes on personal property, from the curb to the home, which have been identified by Ridgewood Water. (Please see map here: https://esri.ridgewoodnj.net/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5373bc4c99cb4a9794a21cec5bd87ef3)

There is a legal requirement that a copy of proposed ordinances for special assessments must be sent to the affected parties. Receipt of the ordinance by mail does not mean that you have agreed to replace your line using Ridgewood Water’s contractors. If you have received a copy of the ordinance, it means that you either have or may have lead or galvanized pipes from the curb to your home. Each resident has the option to participate in the special assessment, generated from pooling this special work with other interested residents, and having the repayment of the replacement spread out over a 30-year period. The State of New Jersey is requiring water utilities (including Ridgewood Water) to replace any lead or galvanized pipes in their system by 2030, and this extension of an assessment program will give property owners the opportunity to participate in pooled financing for the project. There will be a public hearing on the ordinance on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 8 pm in the Council Chamber at Borough Hall, 1 Harding Plaza, where representatives from Ridgewood Water will be available for questions.

There is no requirement for any homeowner to participate in the pooled special work option. Other options for the lead and galvanized pipe replacement include each property owner can replace the pipes at their expense privately, or at the current time there is an option to not make any changes.

Additional information regarding the lead pipe replacements may be found on the Ridgewood Water website https://water.ridgewoodnj.net/.