Lead In Newark: Feds Say Use Bottled Water, Filters Unreliable

NEWARK, NJ — One of the key weapons in Newark’s fight against lead water contamination may be coming up short, federal authorities say.

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent a letter to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine McCabe. The Aug. 9 letter credits state and city officials for working in a “collaborative spirit” with the EPA to tackle Newark’s ongoing struggle with lead contamination in its water supply, which may be affecting thousands of households.

But according to the EPA, officials need to take a hard look at one of Newark’s main weapons in the fight to fix its water – handing out thousands of PUR filters to residents.

Here's why the EPA is asking Newark to hand out bottled water, according to regional administrator Peter Lopez:

“During our telephone conversation we discussed the analytical results of the second round of drinking water samples taken on August 6 at two residences in Newark. As you know, this second round of sampling was carried out to determine whether the results of the first round of sampling accurately characterized the efficacy of the filters. The data from this second, confirmatory round of sampling show that in these residences, several of the filtered drinking water samples again had lead levels exceeding 15 parts per billion, the applicable federal and state drinking water standard. The data suggest that use of the specific filtration devices distributed by Newark may not be reliably effective, in this particular situation, in reducing lead concentrations to below that standard. This means that we are unable at this time to assure Newark residents that their heath is fully protected when drinking tap water filtered through these devices.”

Lopez said it’s the city’s duty to immediately start providing bottled water to affected residents until further testing can be completed, and it’s New Jersey’s duty to make sure the job is done right.

“We believe it is the responsibility of the City of Newark to provide such bottled water as soon as possible," Lopez wrote. "We believe, further, that it is important for the state of New Jersey to use its available enforcement authorities to ensure that Newark is provided with appropriate guidance and direction on how to proceed.”

The EPA added that if its recommendations aren’t taken promptly, the agency is ready to take “appropriate action” under Section 1431(a) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure protection of public health.

On Sunday, Gov. Phil Murphy and Mayor Baraka issued a joint statement, writing that they are “prepared to do everything the city needs,” including making bottled water available to local residents until more permanent measures can be put in place.

According to Murphy and Baraka:

“The City of Newark is currently expanding testing of filtered drinking water to more Newark homes and, in coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection, is actively working with the filter manufacturer to determine the scope of the situation and identify required corrective action as soon as possible.”

More than 38,000 filters and cartridges have been distributed to Newark residents since October 2018. Only two residences were found where filters are not working as expected, city officials stated.

Until further testing is completed, bottled water will be distributed to affected families in the Pequannock service area with lead services lines, one of the suspected causes of the city’s water woes. Residents in the Wanaque service area are not impacted, officials said.

Pequannock area residents can pick up bottled water at the following locations:

• City of Newark Department of Health and Wellness, 110 William Street
• Bo Porter Sports Complex, 378 Lyons Avenue
• Boylan Street Recreation Center, 916 South Orange Avenue
• Vince Lombardi Center, 201 Bloomfield Avenue

Two cases of bottled water will be made available per household.Residents must show the most recent proof of residency to pick up bottled water, such as a tax bill, water bill, lease agreement, utility bill, cable bill, driver’s license or government-issued ID.

In addition, affected residents should try running their water for five minutes before filtering, Newark officials said.

“Initial testing results show that filters are effective in locations that ran their water,” officials said. “The city strongly encourages residents to run their water – which includes showering, flushing toilets and washing dishes – in order to help coat the pipes and allow the new corrosion control treatment to continue optimizing.”

While the city is taking responsibility, Murphy and Baraka said federal officials also have a duty to see the job to the finish line.

“As we carefully evaluate our options and the data available to us, it is important to understand that the city and state will need support and assistance from the federal government if bottled water is to be provided and distributed to impacted residents,” they wrote.

Baraka previously appealed for federal assistance in Newark, saying that the government should help the city cover some of the estimated $70 million price tag for replacing thousands of lead service lines.

In January, Baraka sent a letter to President Donald Trump in the wake of his highly watched "border wall" speech to the nation. In his letter, Baraka implored Trump to give up the idea of building a $5 billion wall and instead put the money to work solving a more pressing need… fixing the nation's ailing, aging water infrastructure.

• See related article: Newark Mayor Tells Trump: We Need Safe Water, Not A Border Wall

‘IF IT’S NOT SAFE, WHY AM I IN THE TUB?’

Newark’s effort to distribute water filters kicked off in October 2018. It was a move that faced criticism from some local families, prompting many to use bottled water from the get-go.

“By the time government officials of Newark agreed to distribute water filters to some of its residents, they'd been drinking lead-laden tap water for at least 21 months," the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) recently wrote.

"By the time the city began to acknowledge the problem, it was facing a federal lawsuit and multiple notices for violating the Safe Drinking Water Act," the group charged. (Read their full blog post here)

According to the NRDC, some residents, such as Sabre Bee, are now purchasing gallons of water each week. Bee claimed that the free water filters provided by the city were "basically garbage," and that she received no replacement cartridges nor any explanation on how to install them or use them.

Another resident, Shakima Thomas, said her kindergarten-age son has been affected by the lead in her home's water supply, which measured at 76.2 parts per billion in February.

"I try to feed him things that are supposed to be good for his health, like spinach," Thomas said. "That's been difficult. And I have to constantly monitor him when we're taking a bath so that he doesn't put the water in his mouth. But he thinks it's a game, so sometimes he'll do the things I tell him not to do. It's hard. I don't want to yell at him or traumatize him, but the water isn't safe. I can see him looking at me, though, and thinking, 'If it's not safe, then why am I in the tub? Why are you washing dishes with it?' I can't rationalize it."

“What’s going on in Newark is not getting better and a lot more needs to be done,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “When the EPA has to step up when Newark and DEP are not doing their job it is a serious alarm going off on the failure of the government.”

Tittel said that lead levels in Newark’s water supply tested at 52 parts per billion between January 1 and June 30 of 2019. He said the levels – an increase from 48 parts per billion during the last six months of 2018 – are the “highest ever recorded” in the city.

“Newark has started to replace residential service lines, but that will take eight years for only 15,000 lines,” Tittel said. “Lead lateral lines also need to be replaced. Even a strong program to reduce lead takes time to work, and people will be impacted before that happens.”

A trio of legislators in the state’s 29th District, which includes Newark and Belleville, issued a joint statement about the EPA’s findings on Tuesday, calling the developments "extremely troubling."

According to Senate President Pro Tempore M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight:

“The recent events concerning the delivery of clean water to the people of Newark are extremely troubling. It goes without saying, that access to clean, safe drinking water for the children and families of our city is crucial. At this time, residents can access information on the city’s website: www.newarkleadserviceline.com or by calling this number: 973-733-6303. As we continue to get updates, we are asking for city, state and federal governments to provide transparency, education, and communication regarding immediate remedies and a long-term solution to this infrastructure problem. Every resource available to address this issue should be given to our families. We are committed to working with the city and we call on the appropriate federal and state agencies to provide any and all support until clean water is provided to every resident of Newark.”

In February, the Newark City Council gave an official go-ahead to begin phase one of an eight-year, $75 million effort to replace thousands of residential lead service lines, one of the suspected sources of the contamination.

• See related article: Newark's $75M Solution For Water Woes Moves Forward

Those lines are not owned by the city, but rather by individual homeowners. While the average cost of replacing residential lead service lines can range between $4,000 and $10,000, Newark homeowners' out-of-pocket payments are capped at $1,000 under a program developed by city and state officials.

By the time the project is complete, about 15,000 homes across Newark will have new service lines, city officials previously said.

In May, Newark has kicked off the latest phase of its campaign, launching a new corrosion control method for the Pequannock Water Treatment System.

Newark officials said the city is putting a "safe additive" called orthophosphate into the water, which will help to reduce lead levels. The Pequannock treatment area will now use the same corrosion control that remains effective in the Wanaque system.

A Newark city spokesperson said that Belleville, Bloomfield and Nutley – which purchase water from Newark – will all benefit from the orthophosphate treatment. Towns that buy Newark's water on an emergency basis, such as East Orange and South Orange, will also benefit.

• See related article: Newark's New Way Of Fighting Lead Will Benefit Nearby Essex Towns

Murphy and Baraka said the new treatment is expected to start making a difference by the end of 2019. On Sunday, they wrote:

“As part of the city's initial filter testing, the engineers saw positive signs that the orthophosphate is in the distribution system, and we are optimistic that the orthophosphate will eventually provide the protective coating necessary to prevent leaching from lead pipes. But to continue these trends, residents must continue to keep city water flowing through their pipes because this is necessary to move the orthophosphate through the system and form a protective coating around the inner lining of the pipes.”

Newark residents can call the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities at 973-733-6303 or visit www.NewarkLeadServiceLine.com to find out how to get their water tested for lead at no cost, get a child’s blood tested free-of-charge, register for Lead Service Line Replacement, or for more information on steps the Department of Water and Sewer is taking to address the lead action level.

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