[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]NJ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
DIVISION OF WATER SUPPLY & GEOSCIENCE

Notice of Rule Proposal
SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT RULES (N.J.A.C. 7:10)

Public Notice

Take notice that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) is proposing a new rule and amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Rules. This rule proposal is intended to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:10, which incorporate by reference the Federal Lead and Copper Rule (Federal Rule), 40 C.F.R. 141, Subpart I, to establish New Jersey-specific requirements for implementation of the Federal Rule. The Department’s proposed rule incorporates recent amendments to the State Safe Drinking Water Act (State Act) concerning lead service lines, notification of lead in drinking water, and drinking water testing for lead and copper (N.J.S.A. 58:12A-40 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 58:12A-12.4 et seq.; and N.J.S.A. 58:12A-12.7 et seq.). In addition, the Department is proposing to amend other provisions throughout N.J.A.C. 7:10 as a result of these new requirements to incorporate recent amendments to the State Act and ensure consistency with changes to the Federal Rule.

The Department is proposing new rules at N.J.A.C. 7:10-5.9 in accordance with such amendments to the State Act and the Federal Rule, including but not limited to: service line inventories; lead service line replacement; lead and copper sampling; sampling at schools and child care facilities; sampling and lead service line replacement plans; optimal corrosion control; testing protocols such as sequential monitoring and pipe scale analysis; monitoring for water quality parameters; lead and copper public education; and associated notice requirements.

The proposal is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register dated February 2, 2026. A copy of the proposal is available from: the Department’s rule website at: https://deptest.nj.gov/rules/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/proposals/proposal-20260202a.pdf, or in the New Jersey Register at: https://www.nj.gov/oal/rules/accessp/.

A public hearing concerning the proposal is scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
Virtual meeting through the Department’s video conferencing software, Microsoft Teams.

Attendees should email LeadinDW@deptest.nj.gov with their contact information (name, organization, telephone number, and email address) to obtain a meeting link & call-in number.

Written comments may be submitted electronically by Friday, April 3, 2026 at https://deptest.nj.gov/rules/rule-comment-form/, or in hard copy to:

Stephanie J. Press, Esq.
ATTN: DEP Docket No. 11-25-12
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Legal Affairs
Mail Code 401-04L; PO Box 402
401 East State Street, 7th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

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