Beneath the Surface · Official Resources
Official construction and infrastructure resources for New Jersey
The government sources we use to explain lead service line replacement (LSLR), call-before-you-dig, trench safety, public works and water infrastructure funding. Each one links straight to the agency.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP): Lead in Drinking Water
Lead Exposure Reduction: notices for lead or unknown service lines
NJDEP says the Lead Service Line Replacement Law, enacted in July 2021, requires community water systems in New Jersey to identify and replace all lead service lines within 10 years, and explains the notices water systems send to consumers.
https://dep.nj.gov/lead/notices/
Last checked: Oct 2026
Lead Exposure Reduction: where are lead service lines in NJ?
Where to find your water system's service line inventory, plus NJDEP's statewide inventory summary.
Last checked: Oct 2026
P.L.2021, c.183 (the Lead Service Line Replacement Law)
The law itself, as published by the New Jersey Legislature.
https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2020/PL21/183_.PDF
Last checked: Oct 2026
Proposed Safe Drinking Water Act rules (N.J.A.C. 7:10), February 2, 2026
NJDEP's notice of a proposal scheduled for the February 2, 2026 New Jersey Register. It would add N.J.A.C. 7:10-5.9, covering service line inventories, lead service line replacement, lead and copper sampling, sampling at schools and child care facilities, and corrosion control. This is a proposal; check NJDEP for its current status.
https://dep.nj.gov/rules/notice-of-rule-proposals/20260202a/
Last checked: Oct 2026
Courtesy copy of the February 2, 2026 proposal (PDF)
NJDEP's courtesy copy notes that under N.J.S.A. 58:12A-44 a supplier must replace all lead service lines by July 22, 2031. The official version is the one published in the New Jersey Register.
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/rules/proposals/proposal-20260202a.pdf
Last checked: Oct 2026
New Jersey One Call and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU)
New Jersey One Call
New Jersey One Call says state law requires anyone digging to call at least three full business days (excluding weekends and holidays) before starting work, by dialing 811 or 800-272-1000. Then wait for the marks, respect them, and hand dig within two feet on either side of a marked facility.
Last checked: Oct 2026
Underground Facility Protection Act, N.J.S.A. 48:2-73 et seq. (PDF)
The state law behind the One-Call system. It names the Board of Public Utilities as the agency that designates the One-Call operator, oversees the system and enforces the act.
https://www.nj1-call.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/N.J.S.A.-48-2-73-et-seq.pdf
Last checked: Oct 2026
One-Call rules, N.J.A.C. 14:2 (PDF)
The BPU rules that put the act into practice for the One-Call operator, utility operators, excavators and responsible contractors. Homeowners who dig are treated as excavators.
https://www.nj1-call.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/nj-administrative-code-one-call-rules2022.pdf
Last checked: Oct 2026
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, Excavations
The federal excavation standard: scope and definitions (1926.650), specific excavation requirements (1926.651) and protective systems (1926.652), with appendices on soil classification, sloping and benching, and shoring.
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926SubpartP
Last checked: Oct 2026
29 CFR 1926 Subpart P on eCFR
The current official text of the same standard in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1926/subpart-P
Last checked: Oct 2026
OSHA Trenching and Excavation
OSHA says trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers' lives, and points to sloping, shoring or shielding trench walls, safe access and exit, keeping materials back from the edge, and watching for standing water and atmospheric hazards.
https://www.osha.gov/trenching-excavation
Last checked: Oct 2026
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJ DOL)
Public Works Contractor Registration
NJ DOL says all contractors and subcontractors who bid on or engage in the performance of any construction-related public works project in New Jersey must register with the department. Since August 15, 2024, applications must be filed online.
https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/registration-permits/register/publicworksregistration.shtml
Last checked: Oct 2026
Prevailing Wage Rates on Public Works
NJ DOL's page on the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act, which covers public works funded in whole or in part with the funds of a public body.
https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/prevailing-rates/public-works/index.shtml
Last checked: Oct 2026
New Jersey Water Bank (NJDEP and the NJ Infrastructure Bank)
NJDEP: The New Jersey Water Bank
NJDEP describes the Water Bank as a partnership between NJDEP and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) that provides low-cost financing for the design, construction and implementation of water quality and drinking water projects.
https://dep.nj.gov/wiip/njwb-process/about-us/
Last checked: Oct 2026
NJ Infrastructure Bank: Water Bank Program
The I-Bank's program page with current and upcoming Water Bank program documents. Project sponsors apply through the H2LOans online system.
https://www.njib.gov/nj/water-bank-program
Last checked: Oct 2026
Need a contractor who knows the rules?
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