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Vendor offers to run South River lead-inspection program under New Jersey law
Summary
A private firm told the South River Borough Council it can run the municipality’s lead-inspection program at no cost to the borough, billing rental property owners directly and submitting data to the state Department of Community Affairs.
Ken Aitman, a representative of Lou Environmental Company, told the Borough of South River Council on April 7 that his firm can administer the inspections and owner billing required under the new New Jersey lead certification law.
The presentation matters because the law, Aitman said, originally required municipalities to establish inspection programs within two years of enactment; the state recently extended that deadline to July 2, 2025. Lou Environmental said it is already working with “over a hundred municipalities” and that its software can upload inspection records directly to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Aitman said Lou Environmental would perform outreach, intake, inspections and invoicing “at no charge to the municipality.” He said the company charges property owners $250 for a visual inspection; if remediation is required a combined clearance inspection and dust-wipe analysis would be $295, plus a $20 state fee. Aitman added that if the borough chooses to assess a municipal fee, Lou Environmental would collect that fee on the borough’s behalf and remit it monthly.
“We are the only recognized company out there that is now… coordinated and is in conjunction with DCA,” Aitman said during his presentation.
Aitman also described minimal potential costs to the borough for owner outreach: where owner contact information is missing, the company said it would mail notification letters and charge $1.10 per letter to cover postage and handling. He said Lou Environmental can use tax records, water-bill databases and other sources to locate owners and will provide the borough full access to the administrative portal to view inspection sign-ups, passes and failures.
Council members asked about who pays the inspection fees; Aitman replied the charges are billed directly to property owners and that the company handles collection. He did not propose a municipal subsidy.
No formal action or vote followed the presentation; the firm’s proposal was informational and may be considered by council staff or committees as the borough prepares to meet the state deadline.
