SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4119

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 1, 2026

      The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4119.

      As reported, this bill requires water purveyors to inspect underground water distribution infrastructure in its public community water system at least once every five years, or every two years on iron or galvanized infrastructure or infrastructure 30 years or older, using techniques determined by the Department of Environmental Protection.  These techniques are to include, but not be limited to, acoustical leak detection, visual and physical inspection of underground water distribution infrastructure, analytical tracking, and isolating water loss.  In areas where water loss is known and leak detection and visual and physical inspection of the underground water distribution infrastructure yielded no sources of water loss, a water purveyor is to verify soil conditions along their water distribution system for anomalies through ground penetrating radar or other subsurface geological conditions investigation.  In addition to soil condition observations, a water purveyor is to undertake and verify through customer-side water pressure surveillance and feedback to identify areas of water loss.  In areas prone to sink holes due to karst of similar formations, a water purveyor is to implement an active water loss monitoring and reporting system that is to result in physical investigation of the water distribution system in isolated areas.  A water purveyor is to immediately repair or replace any underground water distribution infrastructure found to be weakened or in danger of collapse.

      The bill provides that a water purveyor is to be liable for any property damage a homeowner or business incurs as a result of an underground water distribution infrastructure failure that occurs due to a failure to inspect that infrastructure pursuant to the bill.