A 10-Year Plan to Eliminate Lead in NJ’s Drinking Water

Highlights from a report by Jersey Water Works 

New Jerseyans deserve a safe, healthy environment to reach their full potential. The dangers of lead exposure have been known for decades, yet it continues to present a major health risk, particularly to young children and pregnant women. These risks include developmental delays, learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and mood disorders, and they persist long after exposure to lead has ceased. Although paint is the leading source of lead exposure, water is also a significant source, especially for infants fed with formula mad e with tap water that contains lead.

Lead service lines (LSLs), the hose-sized pipes that connect water mains under streets to homes and buildings, exist in communities across the state in both densely populated and suburban areas. As of August 2019,104 water systems have reported the presence of LSLs in their service areas. This number will grow as more LSLs are discovered by water systems. This is a statewide problem that requires a statewide solution. LSLs are responsible for 50% to 75% of lead -in-water contamination, and, as we’ve seen, interim measures like corrosion control and filters are not fail-safe.

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Legislative Update

Lame Duck and the Road Ahead to 2020

Authored by the League's Legislative team, this column discusses legislative activity & the League's focus for the upcoming months.

With the 2019 elections now passed , our focus turns to what legislative activity we will see in the period of time between the election and the end of the 217th Legislature in January. Since leadership in the Administration and the Legislature remains constant, there may not be the same degree of urgency one expects with a “ lame duck.” That said, it is the final opportunity to get certain initiatives to the finish line, which is why the League will be engaged with state officials on a number of legislative fronts.

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