Newark Sees Outpouring Of Donations, Love During Water Crisis

NEWARK, NJ — Newark continues to grapple with lead contamination that may be affecting the drinking water of thousands of residents. But there's no shortage of people ready to roll up their sleeves and help New Jersey’s largest city get back on its feet.

After the discovery of elevated levels of lead in thousands of local homes, Newark officials launched a multi-pronged solution to its water woes, which are affecting around 18,000 homes with lead service lines, one of the suspected causes of the contamination.

Residents can check to see if they’re in the affected area via a city website.

As part of their approach, Newark officials have been distributing free PUR water filters to residents in the Pequannock service area. More than 38,000 filters and cartridges have been distributed to local residents since October 2018.

However, earlier this month, city officials also began handing out bottled water after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the filters may not be working as expected.

• See related article: Feds Say Use Bottled Water In Newark, Filters Unreliable
• See related article: No State Of Emergency For Newark, Gov. Murphy Says

Earlier this week, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. announced that the Essex County Improvement Authority (ECIA) will be helping Newark to obtain $120 million in funding, which will enable the city to fast-track the replacement of pipes at thousands of homes.

• See related article: County Helps Newark Nab $120M To Fight Water Contamination

Until a permanent fix can be completed, however, there’s still a pressing need for bottled water, which has been a rallying point for elected officials, celebrities, sports stars, nonprofits, labor unions and other well-wishers.

NY JET MAKES DONATION

Kelvin Beachum of the New York Jets is the latest celebrity to offer aid, giving the city a $10,000 donation that will pay for almost 100,000 bottles of water.

On Friday, Beachum plans to join United Way of Essex and West Hudson – which has been spearheading a bottled water campaign for Newark – and set up a distribution center in the South Ward of the city. The football player said he also plans to personally deliver water to some community members unable to reach distribution sites, including elderly people and families with small children.

Learn how to make a donation to the United Way’s relief effort. Cases of bottled water can also be donated at the Community Food Bank of NJ at 31 Evans Terminal in Hillside.

AL SHARPTON VISITS NEWARK

Newark also got a recent visit from the Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network, who came to the Brick City last Sunday to distribute bottled water to local residents, an effort that inspired several social media thank-yous.

• See related article: Rev. Al Sharpton Hands Out Bottled Water In Newark

SHIPPING WORKERS LEND A HAND

The New York Shipping Association and ILA Local 1233 said its members plan to hand out bottled water at two locations in Newark on Thursday and Friday. Times and locations include:

• Thursday, August 29 - from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ILA Local 1233 Union Hall Headquarters – 731 South 10th Street
• Friday, August 30 - from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Good Neighbor Church – 100 Chancellor Avenue

DISCOUNTED RIDES FROM UBER

On Thursday, the City of Newark and Uber announced a new partnership to assist local families in the Pequannock service area with discounted rides to water distribution centers. The city is also working on a plan to deliver water to residents, officials said.

Residents in the Pequannock Service Area can use code NWK20 for discounted rides to water distribution centers. The code is valid for up to four rides per user and $20 per ride. Residents will be driven to and from the following distribution centers during their hours of operation:

From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday:

• The City of Newark Department of Health and Wellness, 110 William Street

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday through Friday), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday), and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday):

• Bo Porter Sports Complex, 378 Lyons Avenue
• Boylan Street Recreation Center, 916 South Orange Avenue
• Vince Lombardi Center, 201 Bloomfield Avenue

FREE LEAD SCREENINGS AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

After hosting outreach events earlier this month, University Hospital announced that it will be offering free lead screenings during the week for adults and children living in areas serviced by the Pequannock water treatment plant.

Walk-ins are welcome and there is free parking, the hospital stated.

People are required to bring proof of address to the screenings, and guardians accompanying minor children must bring proof of relationship to the minor. Screenings will take place Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University Hospital main lobby, 150 Bergen Street.

BOTTLED WATER DRIVES

The relief effort isn't limited to the city's borders. In conjunction with Assemblyman Jamel Holley, the Westfield Neighborhood Council recently organized a bottled water donation drive to benefit Newark residents.

• See related article: Donate Bottled Water For Newark At Westfield Neighborhood Council

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