b'Under the StreetA day (and a few holes) with the crew bringing cleaner water to South OrangeBY ADRIANNA DONATThe lead service line replacement that took place in Maplewood last year has started in South Orange.W eve probably all ex- ning and he doesnt mention a wrench. rightbe off, who fixes the sidewalk and, yes, how long periencedthesameMy cell phone, he says. Communication isdo I use the Brita filter?momentofneigh- the backboneOur team only works as efficient- If youve watched crews work, youve seen the borhooddjvu:ly as it does because we have great and open linespattern: an excavation in the roadway and another youturnthecor- of communication from top to bottom. near the curb line in front of a house. It looks dra-nerand(surprise!)Theres a lot for Wahl to communicatematic because it is, but its designed to limit sur-theresalineofor- now. As of October 7, New Jersey American Waterface damage.ange cones, a truck with flashing lights and a freshbecame the official water service provider to SouthWhen replacing the utility sidewe have to excavation that makes you wonder whether yourOrange Village customers. Voters approved the ar- dig at both the water main and the [valve at the street is auditioning for Holes: The Musical. rangement in a November 2024 referendum. Thecurb], Wahl says.Beyond the driving hazard, it can make youcompany has said it plans to invest $50 millionThey could dig a trench from the main in the wonder what exactly is going on. This isnt a dis- in infrastructure improvements across the systemstreet to the curb, but they avoid it when they can. tant highway project. Its outside your front door.within the first 10 years. Its goal is to identify andInstead, they use a piece of equipment with an Because the work involves something as personalreplaceallutility-ownedandcustomer-ownedoddly charming name: a pneumatic mole.as the water we drink, cook with and bathe in,lead and galvanized steel service lines as part of itsIn an effort to minimize damagewe will its natural to want the details: why its happening,statewide program by 2031. dig smaller holes and use a pneumatic mole to run what to expect, how long it takes and what youreTo confirm whats in the ground, New Jerseyour pipe underground without needlessly trench-supposed to do afterward. American Water has said it will largely use testing the whole street, Wahl says. The pneumatic To get the real answers, you have to talk to thepitting, meaning a small test hole near a metermole allows us to mitigate a lot of the damage that people who do the work. Erik Wahl is superinten- or curb stop when the material cant be confirmedwould otherwise occur.dent at Montana Construction, Inc., one of theinside the home. The mole tunnels underground so the crew can contractorsworkingwithNewJerseyAmericanThats the big picture. The resident questionsrun new pipe with less disruption, then reconnect Water on lead service line replacement in Southaremoreimmediate:whyaretheretwoholes,to the customers line.Orange. Ask Wahl what keeps the operation run- what are they installing, how long will the waterWahls day begins when the phone starts ring-34/ matters magazine / hearth + home 2026'