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

NEWARK, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy isn’t declaring a state of emergency for Newark’s ongoing water contamination crisis, but he’s still asking for federal funds to help the city move forward, reports say.

After a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, Murphy said he won’t be declaring a state of emergency in Newark, despite growing fears about the presence of high levels of lead in some of the city’s water supply.

Murphy urged residents in the affected areas to continue using bottled water while further testing continues, NJTV reported.

The city recently began handing out bottled water for residents in the Pequannock service area after the U.S. EPA said water filters – a key element of officials’ plan to fight the contamination – may not be working as expected.

Although only two homes showed signs that their water filters weren’t up to snuff, city officials have previously said nearly 15,000 homes may be affected by corroding lead services lines, one of the suspected causes of the contamination.

“The good news is we have a considerable supply,” Murphy said. “The other good news is that other organizations have … stepped up. So, so far so good. It’s not unending. And it’s among other reasons why we need the federal government to make sure they’re punching at the same weight that we’re punching.”

Murphy added that there’s a need for “a federal water infrastructure renaissance investment” in Newark, as well as many other communities across the nation.

Earlier this week, a quartet of high-profile Democrats in New Jersey pushed to make federal funds available to Newark as the city deals with its ongoing lead contamination crisis.

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker and U.S. Congressmen Albio Sires and Donald Payne Jr., who both represent parts of Newark, called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide federal resources to the city.

The funds would help Newark to expand and administer blood screenings for lead, which it’s already been offering for children under six-years-old, the lawmakers said.

The city’s mayor, Ras Baraka, has also advocated to bring federal funds to Newark.

Some local activists and residents have questioned the sincerity of elected officials’ recent attention to Newark’s mounting water crisis, however.

On Tuesday, the Newark Water Coalition offered Patch the following statement:

“Newark residents have been facing this public health crisis for over a year now. The Newark Water Coalition has been trying to get Congressman Payne Jr. and Senator Booker involved for some time. We believe they’re only weighing in because of the current media attention. Our local officials, Mayor Baraka and City Council members have ignored our voices for quite some time, too. We’ve been going to city council meetings to speak about this public health crisis, we’ve conducted teach-ins and community forums about the lead in our water, we’ve gone door to door to share information about the lead in our water, we’ve collaborated with Dr. Mona from Flint, Michigan, we’ve tested residents’ water for lead and we’ve distributed water filters and now we’re distributing bottled water. Most importantly, we’re Newark residents. We pay taxes and water bills.”

The group continued:

“The Newark Water Coalition is willing to have honest and transparent public discussions with Mayor Baraka, Governor Murphy, Congressman Payne Jr., Congressman Sires, Senator Booker and Senator Menendez. We will not accept empty promises and hallowed ideas. Their solutions must come with funding, timelines, and be socially sustainable or we don’t want to hear it. While Newark residents remain voiceless and thrown under the table during a public health crisis, Assemblyman Holley has stepped up to provide bottled water to Newark residents and give us a voice. We believe Assemblyman Holley has made a reasonable request for Governor Murphy to declare a State of Emergency. Newark residents need immediate relief. Also, Assemblyman Holley has extended his compassion even further by agreeing to meet with the Newark Water Coalition.”

On Thursday, New Jersey Assemblyman John McKeon (Essex, Morris) also supported making investments in the city’s water infrastructure.

But according to McKeon, the state needs to step up to the plate in lieu of federal aid.

“Right now, the call for immediate action on water infrastructure could not be louder or clearer,” the assemblyman said. “As co-chair of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Drinking Water Infrastructure, I worked with the task force to formulate a report outlining short and long term investment recommendations needed to revitalize water infrastructure throughout the state.”

“The reality is our water systems don’t have adequate revenue streams to support the rehabilitation and upgrade of vital, aging infrastructures,” McKeon said. “And with declining federal funds, New Jersey will have to step up.”

According to McKeon:

“Our findings, as articulated in the report, indicate $400 million in funding for water systems is crucial. That, combined with grant matching opportunities and forgiveness loans, will improve the efficiency and reliability of our water supply as well as make our water safer. The report primarily recommends expansion of financing options and increased emphasis on asset management. It indicated that upfront financial investments will make both small and large water systems financially self-sustaining. Using stronger regulatory policy to enforce inspection, maintenance, repair and renewal of infrastructure will work hand in hand with investments to create large scale improvements in New Jersey’s water system. Together the recommended incentives will make water suppliers and municipalities accountable for the replacement of service lines and piping contributing to our lead problem, mitigating further deterioration.”

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