In 2017 the City of Newark was faced with the issue of its third consecutively failed EPA test regarding its water lead levels. Of almost 130 tests taken of the city’s drinking water 22% were found to be above the federal crisis level of 15 parts per billion of lead. With over a quarter of a million people living in Newark, and the city being the largest in New Jersey this was seen as an emergency of the highest level, requiring immediate action. In order to ensure that nearly 62,000 residents were not faced with harmful levels of lead in their drinking water fast and decisive steps were taken through the creation of a comprehensive Lead Pipe Remediation Program. Some of the program’s highlights are:

• Creation of an online hub for residents to assess their eligibility with those in need of remediation facing no cost
  
  
• Presentation of self-testing methods for residents to use on their own pipes and exposed water lines
  
  
• Distribution of water filters to eligible Newark residents and communities around the city
  
  
• Removal of over 10,000 lead lined pipes out of an identified 18,000 well ahead of the estimated schedule by approximately a year or more
  
  
• Continued work despite the economic setbacks presented due to COVID-19