What the public record says about Delaware Gardens
Wikipedia lists Delaware Gardens as an unincorporated community in Pennsauken Township. In June 2015 local news reported the launch of the Delaware Gardens Neighborhood Initiative, led by a Pennsauken Township Committee member with UrbanPromise, Boat People SOS and the township as partners. That report gave the boundaries above and named Chestnut Street and Westfield Avenue as anchor streets.
The same report notes that part of the neighborhood extends toward East Camden. Camden is a separate city with its own offices, so the address on your mail decides which municipality handles permits.
Local history gives the name an older footing. A history of Pennsauken's schools says two elementary schools opened on 31 January 1927, one built to serve the communities of Delaware Gardens, Hillcrest and the west part of Collins Tract.
Established housing and what to ask about it
A neighborhood profile describes Delaware Gardens homes as older and well established, mostly built from 1940 to 1969, with a number built before 1940. It describes the housing as medium sized three and four bedroom single-family homes, small one and two bedroom homes and small apartment buildings, mostly owner occupied.
Age alone does not tell you what is behind a wall. Houses from the same decade can have different pipe materials after repairs and remodels, so the useful step is to look. Check the pipe where the water line enters the house, check under sinks and look at the water heater's label for its age.
Look at the water heater label
The data plate shows the manufacture date and capacity. It tells you how old the tank is before it fails.
Find the shutoffs
Know the main water valve and each fixture valve. In a small apartment building, ask which valves serve your unit.
Ask before opening walls
A camera inspection or a pressure test can answer a question before anyone cuts into plaster or drywall.
Who handles what at a Delaware Gardens address
| Topic | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water bill, meter or lead service line questions | Merchantville Pennsauken Water Commission, 6751 Westfield Avenue | (856) 663-0043 on weekdays. MPWC posts an annual water quality report online. |
| Water emergency in the street | MPWC emergency line | (856) 663-0044 |
| Sewer main | Pennsauken Sewerage Authority, with treatment by CCMUA | CCMUA (856) 541-3700 |
| Plumbing permit | Township Construction Code Department, plumbing subcode | (856) 665-1000, ext. 1406 |
The Merchantville Pennsauken Water Commission office is at 6751 Westfield Avenue in Pennsauken. Bills, meter questions and lead service line information are handled there. MPWC publishes an annual water quality report on its website.
Common plumbing calls for homes like these
Water heater calls are common in any house with a tank, and water heater replacement is a planned job when the tank is near the end of its years. A leak from the tank base is a different case, since a leaking tank is rarely repairable. Sewer line cleaning applies when several drains back up at once, and leak detection helps when a bill rises with no visible cause.
Replacing fixtures or moving pipes usually involves permits. Our plumbing installation page explains the township process. The wider area is covered on the service area page.
Tenant or owner, call with the address
Tell us whether you rent or own and which fixture is affected. Landlord approval may be needed for rental repairs.
Delaware Gardens plumbing questions
No single official map fixes them. A 2015 neighborhood plan described Delaware Gardens as running from 36th Street to Browning Road and from River Road to Route 130, with part extending toward East Camden. Use your street address when you call.
Permits follow the municipality in your address. A Pennsauken address goes through the township Construction Code Department at (856) 665-1000, ext. 1401. An address in Camden uses Camden's offices.
Shut off the fixture valve or the main if water is spreading, then tell your landlord. Your lease decides who arranges and pays for the repair, so check it before you hire anyone yourself.
Look at the date on the data plate, listen for rumbling or popping from sediment, and watch for rust-colored hot water or moisture at the base. A tank that leaks from the bottom usually needs replacing.
Ask who holds the permit, whether the plumber is a New Jersey master plumber or works for one, and what the work covers in writing. You can verify a license with the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers.