Lead components found in some water service lines in Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka says
NEWARK, N.J. -- The state Department of Environmental Protection has launched an investigation into what it calls improper replacement of lead water pipes in the city of Newark.
The news came out after Mayor Ras Baraka was caught on an open microphone in a closed session telling City Council members about the joint audit that discovered lead components in some city pipes.
Newark received national recognition for dealing with a lead water problem, but now the mayor says some of the job was not properly done.
The fear of what's in the water is now consuming one resident.
"We were all were thinking there is no more lead. We still have to use our filters for the water. We don't want to take any chances," the resident said.
She is among many living on Ridge Street that had their lead water pipes replaced three years ago to meet tough state standards.
"They just changed the pipes, did measured work and they leave holes on the back of the walls, which is water coming through our house, too," she said.
FLASHBACK: Newark lead service pipe replacement project expected to be done years ahead of schedule
During a Tuesday press call after the open microphone incident, Baraka and the state DEP revealed that in January the city found traces of lead in the water supply of a handful of homes in Newark.
This, after nearly 23,000 service lines were replaced by contractors.
"Right now, based on what we think, we've replaced three that were problematic. We don't know until we go out, do the inspection if there are any other ones that we've identified," Baraka said.
The mayor blamed the problem on a third party contractor he said partially replaced water pipes instead of fully replacing them, as required by state law.
DEP Commissioner Shawn M. Latourette said the state and city are doing an audit, but wouldn't reveal the name of the parties involved.
"This occurred because somebody didn't do their job and you can be assured that the mayor and I will find that somebody and hold them fully accountable," Latourette said.
The city is sending out 180,000 notices in the mail to residents.
Lakeisha Muhammad said she won't let her granddaughter drink Newark water.
"It is very concerning because what about if she tastes the water? The lead, it's not good," Muhammad said.
"I don't know what to say. They need to fix it," added resident Tony Smith.
Officials said they've made improvements in controlling corrosion in Newark's water after federal authorities found elevated lead levels in the city's water supply back in 2019.
"This is not a cause for panic. The DEP and the city of Newark will do their job to ensure that we conduct the audit," Latourette said.
"I am comfortable to say the overwhelming majority of the lead service lines in the city have been fully replaced," Baraka said.
The DEP commissioner said the audit could take several weeks and that the plan is to release the results of the investigation to the public.