PVWC completes major lead line replacement program as it invests in systemwide upgrades
The utility says over 4,000 lead service lines were removed over the past three years and replaced with copper lines at no cost to customers, supported through state funding.
More Stories
The Passaic Valley Water Commission says it has reached a major milestone with the completion of its Lead Service Line Replacement Program — removing thousands of aging lead lines across Paterson, Clifton, Passaic and Prospect Park.
Executive director Jim Mueller says the effort is a significant step forward in improving water safety and protecting public health.
“We finished our lead service line replacement program for our customers… we actually worked with each of the cities to have ordinances passed that allowed us to do work on the customer property to replace lead lines,” Mueller said.
The utility says over 4,000 lead service lines were removed over the past three years and replaced with copper lines at no cost to customers, supported through state funding.
“We’re essentially lead free on the water supply in Paterson, Clifton, Passaic and Prospect Park,” Mueller said. The project totaled about $36 million.
PVWC supplies drinking water to about 800,000 residents across the region and operates the Little Falls Water Treatment Plant in Totowa, which can treat up to 80 million gallons of water per day.
From there, treated water is stored and distributed through a regional network of reservoirs before reaching customers.
One of those key facilities is the Levine Reservoir on Grand Street in Paterson, a structure dating back to the 1870s. Mueller says the reservoir has historically been open to the atmosphere and stores drinking water after it has already been treated at the Little Falls plant.
Now, the utility is in the middle of a major project to convert the site to covered storage tanks, protecting treated water from environmental exposure.
“This reservoir is post-treatment, so after the water is treated here at Little Falls, it gets sent over to Levine among other reservoirs,” Mueller said. “We are putting in covered storage so it’s not exposed to the atmosphere and pollution.”
Officials say the upgrade is designed to further protect water quality and modernize aging infrastructure.
“Our filtration process is still from the sixties and eighties… but you need this modernization program for the treatment, and we’re also kicking off a very large investment in our distribution system,” Mueller said.
The utility is also investing roughly $200 million over the next several years to replace water mains and upgrade pipelines, some of which are more than 100 years old.
PVWC says the upgrades are critical not only for water quality, but also for fire protection, reliability, and long-term system stability.
With Drinking Water Week underway, officials are also reminding residents to be mindful of water use, especially heading into warmer months.
Mueller cautioned against unauthorized hydrant use, which can damage the system and lead to water main breaks, and urged residents to monitor for leaks.
“If they see their water meter usage spike, that is a good indicator… it could be a leaking toilet running 24/7,” he said.
The utility says conservation remains important as New Jersey continues to experience dry conditions in parts of the state.
PVWC currently employs about 250 staff members, including engineers, licensed operators, and skilled trades workers, who manage treatment and distribution across its regional system.
Officials say ongoing investments will help ensure a more reliable and modern water system for decades to come.
