West Orange Lead Service Line Replacement Moves Through Canvassing: What Homeowners and Buyers Should Know
New Jersey American Water is wrapping up its door-to-door canvassing in West Orange to identify lead and galvanized steel service lines, the first step before any replacements happen. Here is what the process means for homeowners and what buyers should look for.
Why West Orange is checking service lines
New Jersey passed a law in July 2021 requiring every community water system to identify and replace lead and galvanized steel service lines, both the utility-owned and customer-owned portions, by 2031. New Jersey American Water runs a Lead Service Line Replacement Program to do exactly that, and West Orange is one of the towns going through it now.
In mid-May 2026, NJAW, working with the contractor CDM Smith, began door-to-door service line identification canvassing in West Orange. The work covers nearly 7,400 properties and lines, and the identification phase was expected to take about 16 to 18 weeks, which puts it wrapping up around this time. The township has posted weekly canvassing location maps on westorange.org so residents can track where the crews are working.
What happens next
Once the canvassing identifies which service lines are lead or galvanized steel, actual replacements follow according to NJAW's prioritization model, ahead of the 2031 deadline. In the meantime, residents can schedule an inspection or self-report their service line material through NJAW's lead landing page. If you missed the canvassing crew, that self-report option is the simplest way to make sure your property gets counted.
What this means for homeowners
For homeowners, the value here is being proactive. If you know your service line is lead or galvanized, you are already ahead of the replacement schedule, and you can ask the utility when your street is due. Even if the town's portion is on the list, keep in mind the customer-owned portion is part of the picture too, so it is worth confirming both are accounted for when replacement plans come together.
There is also a reassurance angle. Towns going through this program are addressing a real, older-infrastructure concern in an organized way, and that is a positive sign for anyone weighing a home in the community.
What this means for buyers
If you are buying in West Orange, this is one of those details worth asking about. A home on an older service line may qualify for replacement under the program, which is good to understand before closing. It is a small but meaningful item in your due diligence, alongside the home inspection, and it is the kind of thing that is easy to overlook until it comes up later.
I always tell buyers to add water service line material to their list of questions, especially in older Essex County homes, because the answer affects both safety and potential cost down the road.
The bottom line
West Orange is in the identification phase of a state-required lead service line replacement program, with canvassing covering nearly 7,400 properties and actual replacements to follow by 2031. For homeowners, it is a reason to confirm your line's material and track the schedule. For buyers, it is a due-diligence detail worth raising. If you are looking in West Orange and want to think through what a home's age and infrastructure mean for your decision, I am happy to help.
Sources
This story is based on updates from the Township of West Orange and Patch (West Orange), with program details from New Jersey American Water.
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