Red Bank, NJ — January 13, 2026 —
The Borough of Red Bank has been awarded $1 million in federal funding to support the removal and replacement of aging lead service lines—an investment that strengthens the community’s drinking water system and advances critical public health protections.
Ensuring safe, reliable drinking water is one of the most important responsibilities of local government, and Red Bank has been taking that responsibility seriously for years. With this federal support, the Borough is able to move even faster on its ongoing Lead Service Line Replacement Program, a comprehensive, multi-year effort focused on protecting residents and strengthening water infrastructure for the long term.
The funding was secured by Frank Pallone Jr. through the federal Community Project Funding process and is part of a broader $2 million investment benefiting both Red Bank and Matawan. This investment reflects Red Bank’s consistent, proactive approach to addressing aging infrastructure. Rather than waiting until deadlines approach, the Borough began this work early—carefully identifying lead service lines and replacing them through a coordinated, systemwide plan.
“This funding helps us keep doing the right thing for our community,” said Billy Portman, Mayor of Red Bank. “We’ve made real progress already, and this support allows us to stay on track—protecting our water, improving infrastructure, and keeping costs from falling on our residents.”
Lead service lines are a known concern in older communities, and replacing them requires detailed, behind-the-scenes work that takes time, technical expertise, and sustained investment. Red Bank has approached this effort with care—balancing construction timelines, system evaluations, and ongoing communication with residents to minimize disruption while making meaningful, lasting improvements.
“This federal investment allows the Borough to continue making smart, long-term infrastructure improvements without shifting additional costs onto our residents. Replacing lead service lines is complex, technical work that requires sustained planning and resources. This funding helps ensure we can move forward efficiently, responsibly, and with public health as our top priority.”
Federal funding of this scale allows the Borough to continue this critical work without slowing progress or shifting the burden onto local taxpayers. It also underscores the importance of strong partnerships between local and federal leaders in addressing essential infrastructure projects that directly impact residents’ daily lives.
As Red Bank continues to grow and evolve, ensuring access to clean, reliable drinking water remains a top priority. This investment helps the Borough build on the progress already made and move forward with confidence—keeping public health, accountability, and community well-being at the center of the work.