Morris Township urges utility to cover replacement of lead and galvanized service lines to match neighboring towns

Committee members told residents on Dec. 17 that Morris Township, Hanover Township, Morris Plains and another adjacent town are pressing a local water utility (referred to in the meeting as SMUCA/Smukka) to adopt a plan to replace lead and galvanized service lines that burden homeowners.

A committee member described the towns’ position: according to the utility’s founding documents it is responsible for pipe up to the curb stop, but a 2021 state law requires replacement of private service lines to protect health; because the utility predates that law, affected homeowners currently may face out-of-pocket costs. "SMUCA is responsible for and according to their founding documents, they're responsible for all pipe leading up to the curb stop," the official said. The official said the towns asked the utility to return within 45 days with a plan to replace lead service lines immediately and to finance galvanized replacements over time.

A resident asked whether galvanized piping could be inside homes or only from the road to the house; a township representative clarified that homeowners remain responsible for piping on private property (curb stop to meter and interior plumbing) under the statute as applied by the utility, though the towns are advocating for consistent treatment and fairness.

The committee said Mayor Gallagher would likely schedule a follow-up meeting in mid-January to get a utility response and provide the public an update. No binding municipal action was taken at the Dec. 17 meeting; the committee’s direction was to continue intermunicipal advocacy and await the utility’s plan.