Bloomfield, NJ Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

Two sections of the Bloomfield Township Code put repair and waste duties on water users in Bloomfield Township. Section 556-14A(1) makes every service pipe from the curb cock or valve at the curbline of the street to the meter the sole responsibility of the property owner. Installation, repairs and replacement are done by a licensed plumber hired by the owner and supervised under the direction of the Township Engineer, with all costs borne by the owner.

Section 556-14A(2) sets the leak deadline. A homeowner with a leaking service line must contract with a plumber to repair the leak within 48 hours. If no arrangements have been made to repair the leakage within that period, the Township can retain a contractor to complete the work at time and materials, which cost is the homeowner's responsibility and is collected as permitted by law. Restoring lawn areas, shrubs, fences, walkways, driveways and steps is the homeowner's job and is not counted in the contractor's time and materials. Supply pipes up to one inch, from the main through the curb cock, are maintained by the Township at its expense under § 556-14B(2). Supply pipes greater than one inch are installed and maintained by the owner under the supervision of the Township Engineer's office.

Section 556-33A prohibits excessive or unnecessary use or waste of water, whether caused by carelessness or by defective or leaky plumbing or fixtures, even where the service is metered. Under § 556-5, officers and inspectors carrying Township credentials have free access at all reasonable hours to premises supplied with Township water to examine the entire water supply and plumbing system, and no person can refuse them entry. If someone disregards § 556-33, the Township Engineer can order the water turned off under § 556-33B, and § 556-34 bars anyone from turning it back on without the Engineer's permission.