Newark Water Crisis: Law Would Force Homeowners To Replace Pipes

NEWARK, NJ — Newark property owners would be required to replace their lead service lines – the main suspected culprit of the city’s ongoing water contamination – under a proposed municipal law introduced Thursday.

Here’s the good news, officials say… it’s free.

New Jersey’s largest city has been struggling with lead water contamination in thousands of local homes. The water woes have been traced to privately owned lead service pipes, which may be affecting nearly 18,000 homes in the Pequannock service area.

Normally, replacing lead service lines can be an expensive process, with the average cost of replacement ranging between $4,000 and $10,000. With the help of state funds, Newark officials originally capped homeowners' out-of-pocket payments at $1,000.

Last month, the massive replacement project got a major boost when Essex County helped the city to obtain $120 million in loans. The funding influx will speed up the process, which is now expected to take up to 30 months instead of a decade.

The funds will also help residents replace the lead service lines in their homes for free, city officials announced Thursday.

According to Mayor Ras Baraka, if it gets City Council approval, the proposed ordinance would make Newark the first U.S. city to roll out such an order.

Baraka offered more details about the proposed law:

“This ordinance will protect the health and safety of residents by significantly accelerating lead service line replacement. Property owners can sign up for the Lead Service Line Replacement program, and the work will be accomplished by city contractors at no expense to them. They also have the option of replacing the line at their own expense within 90 days of the ordinance’s effective date. When a property owner can’t be found or fails to sign up for the program, the city [would be] empowered to take all necessary steps to come on the property, without signed permission, to replace the lead service line.”

Property owners who can demonstrate that lead service line replacement has already been accomplished, or that their property has no lead service line – a common condition in larger buildings – would be excluded from the ordinance.

Proof of lead service line replacement would also be required under the ordinance for certificates of occupancy, code compliance and smoke/carbon monoxide detector certificates.

“Newark is a city of renters and too often landlords either can’t be found or show a lack of interest in this important health initiative,” Baraka said. “This ordinance will enable the city to replace all lead service lines and to do so quickly.”

Newark Corporation Counsel Kenyatta Stewart said that state officials are also considering similar legislation, but their peers in the Brick City didn’t want to wait.

“It’s important that this work be completed quickly, and by passing this local ordinance, Newark will get shovels in the ground faster,” Stewart said.

Catch up on some recent coverage of the Newark water crisis below.

Court Rules Against Newark Activists In Battle Over Bottled Water

Activists claim lead water contamination in Newark is more widespread than officials admit. The city says they're wrong… and tests prove it.

Essex County Helps Newark Nab $120M In Loans To Fight Water Contamination

Officials have demanded federal funds to help Newark. Essex County is helping the city give itself a hand up in the meanwhile.

Protest For Clean Water Ignites Outside MTV Awards In Newark: WATCH

Several people carried signs with slogans such as "Get The Lead Out" and "Clean Water For Newark Now."

Newark Lead Water Crisis: No State Of Emergency, Gov. Murphy Says

Several of his fellow Democrats have called for federal intervention. But Phil Murphy says he won't declare a state of emergency for Newark.

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