Newark Isnt Only NJ City At Risk Of Lead Water, Map Shows – Newark, NJ Patch

NEWARK, NJ — If you’ve found yourself saying “I’m glad that’s not my town” when it comes to Newark’s ongoing lead water crisis, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise, an advocacy group in New Jersey says.

Lead service lines – the suspected source of Newark’s water woes – have been reported in 104 water systems across the state, potentially affecting 5 million residents, according to New Jersey Future.

On Thursday, the nonprofit released a map of areas most at-risk as of August, which can be seen below. Read their full report and learn about its methodology.

“New Jersey, along with states across the country, is confronting a public health threat: lead in drinking water,” New Jersey Future stated. “The primary source is lead service lines, hose-sized pipes containing some amount of lead that connect water mains under the streets to buildings.”

Most lead service lines were installed before 1940, so older communities are more likely to have higher concentrations of the pipes, the group stated.

“Lead exposure is a serious health threat across the state,” said Chris Sturm, New Jersey Future’s managing director of water and policy. “These lead service lines have the potential to put everyone – particularly children and infants – at risk.”

Here’s what to do if you’re living in an at-risk area, according to New Jersey Future:

“If the map indicates the presence of lead service lines in your community, you can contact your water utility to request more detailed information on water test results, and if available, the location of lead service lines. Your water utility can tell you if protective actions, such as installing an in-home filter or flushing your pipes, are recommended. You can also speak with them about how to determine if you have a lead service line and/or lead in indoor plumbing or fixtures.”

Local results are also available on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Drinking Water Watch website.

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