Water Filters In Newark Schools Are Working, Superintendent Says

NEWARK, NJ — “Our children do not need to come to school with water bottles.” That was the assurance from Newark School Superintendent Roger León earlier this week in the face of the city’s ongoing water crisis, a report says.

As New Jersey’s largest city continues to grapple with lead contamination that may be affecting 15,000 local homes, the water in its public schools remains safe to drink, León said at a business meeting on Tuesday.

• See related article: No State Of Emergency For Newark’s Water Crisis, Gov. Murphy Says

León cautioned that families should heed city officials’ guidelines for the water in their own homes. But filters in the district’s schools – which were installed years ago – are working and being monitored, he added, TAP Into Newark reported. (Read the full article)

City officials recently started handing out free bottled water after lead was found in the water at two of three tested homes… despite their use of water filters.

To date, city officials have raised concerns only about homes with lead pipes that receive water from a treatment plant that has experienced problems. Officials have given no indication that the drinking and cooking water in Newark's schools is affected.

Still, the ongoing water crisis has some residents seeking assurances that schools' water remains safe — especially since the district has faced its own lead problems in the past, Chalkbeat Newark reported.

• See related article: As Newark Grapples With Lead Crisis, What About Local Schools?

In 2016, nearly half of Newark schools were found to have elevated levels of lead, forcing some schools to use bottled water for over a year. The district responded aggressively, replacing lead pipes at affected schools and installing new water filters — a notable outlay in a district with many crumbling school buildings.

Last October, board members said that city water was once again flowing at all schools.

• See related article: Newark Was Warned, Memo Says: Lead In School Water Supply Is A 'Smoking Gun'
• See related article: Newark's $75M Solution For Water Woes Moves Forward

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