Statement by Mayor Ras J. Baraka

A water sample taken on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 1180 Raymond Boulevard by the Newark Water Department and in the presence of building management was analyzed by a second independent, certified laboratory and shows that the water servicing 1180 Raymond has undetectable levels of lead/less than 5 parts per billion of lead.

This test is consistent with a test performed on January 10, 2019 which found lead levels at 1180 Raymond of less than 5 parts per billion, which is well below the EPA's lead action level of 15 parts per billion. 1180 Raymond Boulevard is located downtown within the Wanaque service area, where the source water does not contain elevated levels of lead and the corrosion control system is effective at preventing lead from entering the water in buildings with lead service lines.

On Friday, August 30th, 2019 a federal district court judge similarly concluded that “the corrosion control in the Wanaque service area is in fact functioning and effective.” Moreover, like other large buildings, 1180 Raymond is not connected to the City’s water main by a lead service line. Large buildings require pipes far larger than lead service lines, which are typically the diameter of a quarter.

The reliability of Newark’s drinking water for its residents, including those at 1180 Raymond, is a top priority for the City. For the latest information, please use our web site (newarkleadserviceline.com) for all updates and upcoming meetings and announcements, and for any questions, please call (973)733-6303.

It is important that any sampling of water for lead testing follow prescribed and verified scientific protocols. The City encourages businesses that are looking to have their water tested to work with NJDEP certified labs to conduct testing to ensure the correct protocols are followed. Please see below for nearby NJDEP certified labs for Lead Water Testing:

NJDEP Certified Labs for Lead Water Testing:

1.) Agra Environmental & Laboratory Services
90 1/2 W Blackwell St.
Dover, NJ 07801. (973)989-0010 Email:info@agra.us

2.) Garden State Laboratories, Inc.
410 Hillside Ave,
Hillside, NJ 07205. (800)273-8901 Email: info@gslabs.com

3.) Precision Analytical Services
2161 Whitesville Rd.,
Tom's River, NJ 08755. (732) 914-1515 Email: info@DrinkingWaterTesting.com

4.) EMSL Analytical, INC,
1056 Stelton Rd.#5,
Piscataway, NJ 08854 (732) 981-0550

Who IS affected?

It is important to understand that the issue of elevated lead in Newark is limited to structures within the Pequannock service area that have lead service lines or lead plumbing. 1180 Raymond Boulevard is located in the Wanaque service area, and is, like other large buildings, not served by a lead line.

Who is NOT affected?

The majority of Newark households are not impacted because they receive water from the Wanaque system, where testing shows corrosion control is effective at curtailing leaching of lead into drinking water. In addition, those who live in the Pequannock service area in buildings without lead service lines or lead plumbing are also not affected by the issue of lead in the water.

Why is only the Pequannock service area affected?

While the source water distributed by both the Wanaque and Pequannock treatment plants does not itself contain elevated levels of lead - a fact supported by a very large and consistent body of data - the corrosion control system of the Pequannock system became less effective in recent years. Experts expect that a new corrosion control treatment the City implemented for the Pequannock system will help reduce lead levels by the end of the year.

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