T housands of homes and businesses in New Jersey were notified this week that they are receiving water from lead service lines.

The state required water providers to send notices to those affected no later than last Monday, as the more than 180,000 lead service lines statewide could be contaminating the state's water, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection reported.

A lead service line is classified as a water connection "made of, or lined with, a material consisting of lead, which connects a water main to a building inlet," according to the state's website.

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Lead exposure could cause "serious health problems," such as damage to the brain and kidneys and birth defects, a sample notification letter posted by the state indicates.

The notification letter provides consumers with several steps they can take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, including running cold water before drinking or cooking with water and replacing plumbing fixtures and service lines.

New Jersey American Water, which serves 2.8 million people in New Jersey, stated it will continue to test for lead in drinking water and indicated that the water meets state and federal quality regulations. The company also provided a map for customers to check whether their addresses are affected.

"The company wants to assure its customers that if their service line contains lead or galvanized pipe, it does not mean they can’t use water as they normally would," a statement read.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Newark earlier this month to highlight the city's Lead Service Line Replacement Program.

"Other cities and other families will benefit from the work you did right here," Harris said.

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The total number of people affected by the lead pipes is not immediately known, as the lines could connect to commercial properties, multiple-unit properties, etc. The most recent inventory on lead service lines was submitted between September 2021 and January of this year.

All the affected lines are required to be replaced by 2031 under the state's lead line replacement law, enacted in July 2021.