Newark Ramps Up Home Inspections As It Probes New Water Woes

NEWARK, NJ — Newark is ramping up inspections at local homes as it attempts to learn the extent of a recent stumbling block in its battle against lead water contamination, officials say.

On Wednesday, Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection commissioner Shawn LaTourette and Kareem Adeem, the city’s water and sewer director, gave the city an update on a complication in its lauded efforts to replace lead lined water pipes (watch the video below).

“In January, we realized – or got information – that some of the vendors or one of the vendors or whoever didn't do their job correctly,” Baraka said. “So we began doing an investigation of our own.”

The ensuing audit has led to 90 service line excavations at properties throughout the city between January 19 and March 20 – which was done after narrowing the scope from an evaluation of more than 1,300 properties.

Out of those 90 excavations, authorities identified 12 places where there were still some remaining lead components on the street side of the search line.

“It gives us added comfort that that these remaining lead components in a few places is not a city-wide risk or concern,” LaTourette said.

“There is no reason for Newarkers to panic,” he added.

“You shouldn't be alarmed, there's no risk for you,” Adeem agreed, addressing Newark residents.

For those who are concerned, the city is offering free water testing and inspections, Adeem added. Contact waterandsewer@ci.newark.nj.us or 973-733-6303 for more information.

The plan is to continue doing inspections over the next several weeks and into the month of April – and possibly beyond, officials said.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

In February, officials announced that the city is carrying out a new audit in the wake of its highly celebrated fight against lead contamination.

The problem? A “third party” provider may not have done the job they were supposed to, officials said.

Three years ago, Newark made national headlines when it confronted a lead water crisis. At one point, the lead levels at some points in the city’s drinking water had risen to 47 parts per billion at some sites, more than three times the federal threshold. It prompted an outcry from residents – and a lawsuit from advocates.

Newark eventually identified two sources of the contamination. One was the way the city treated its water, which allowed excess corrosion to take place in aging pipes. The city responded by rolling out a new method of treating its water, which is also sold to several nearby towns and cities in Essex County.

The second issue wasn’t as quick of a fix, however.

Newark officials traced some of the contamination to lead-lined service pipes leading to thousands of local homes. The pipes – which connect local homes and businesses to the local water supply – can potentially leach contamination as water passes through them. A portion of the pipes may be privately owned, complicating efforts to replace them.

Despite the challenges and scope of the project, Newark has since replaced more than 20,000 lead service pipes, a massive effort that got a big thumbs up from officials including Vice President Kamala Harris. See Related: Lead Pipes And Newark: Kamala Harris Returns To NJ To Praise City

But now there’s a new problem, officials say.

Kareem Adeem, the city’s water and sewer director, offered more details about the situation. He wrote:

“In January 2024, the City of Newark and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) were advised of concerns that, in some cases, third parties hired to replace lead service lines in Newark may not have complied with all requirements for full line replacement (ex., from the water meter inside a home to the water main in the street). In response, Newark and the NJDEP immediately launched an audit to identify affected properties and commence inspections to verify compliance with lead service line replacement requirements to ensure the continued safety of all residents.”

“Between January 19 and February 1, 2024, Newark and the NJDEP conducted initial inspections at four properties where lead service lines should have been replaced in full,” Adeem continued. “At three of the four properties, some remaining lead components were found on the street side, between the curb and water main.”

These remaining lead components were immediately replaced, he said.

“Newark and the NJDEP will continue this audit over the next several weeks,” Adeem said last month. “During this time, some residents may be contacted by Newark to participate in an inspection to verify the full replacement of their lead service line. If and where any remaining lead components are identified, they will be immediately replaced.”

“Importantly, the NJDEP has confirmed that Newark’s corrosion control treatment has been optimized to protect residents whose water may come in contact with plumbing that may still contain lead components,” Adeem said.

“Newark has demonstrated compliance with the federal lead and copper rule,” he added. “Unless you are contacted by Newark to participate in an inspection of your service line, there is nothing you need to do at this time.”

Officials didn’t name the “third party” vendor that did the work, citing an ongoing investigation.

The addresses of the properties where the latest testing took place are being withheld for the privacy of the residents, officials said.

It’s still unknown what the scope of the problem may be. However, Baraka said that he is “comfortable that the overwhelming majority of the lead service lines in the city have been fully replaced.”

• See Related: 'Not A Cause For Panic': Newark's Lead Water Battle Isn't Over (VIDEO)
• See Related: New Jersey Is Replacing Its Lead Water Pipes – All Of Them

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