1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Lead service lines are the primary source of lead in drinking water;
b. It is estimated that there are between 160,000 and 350,000 lead service lines throughout the State;
c. Lead in drinking water poses a serious health and safety risk to the public, particularly infants and children;
d. A municipality in the State, pursuant to R.S.40:48-2, may enact such ordinances as it deems necessary and proper for the preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants; and
e. It is the intent of the Legislature to clarify that a municipality may enact an ordinance to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements as part of its powers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents.