Environmental Groups Sue Newark Over Lead in Drinking Water

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The Natural Resources Defense Council and Newark Education Workers Caucus have taken the city of Newark, New Jersey, to court over elevated levels of lead in the city’s drinking water. The NRDC and NEW Caucus allege that city officials have failed to implement adequate water quality and treatment systems to prevent lead from getting into drinking water and that the city is failing to comply with federal requirements for monitoring and testing.

The city’s own data, the NRDC says, shows that 10 percent of water samples had elevated lead levels of 26 parts per billion, well above the Safe Drinking Water Act’s “federal action level” of 15 ppb. One recent result was as high as 182 parts per billion, reports the NRDC.

The lawsuit should come as no surprise to Newark officials because in April, the groups filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue, NJ.com reported at the time. The NRDC also says that Newark’s water testing procedures aren’t prioritizing high-risk sites, which it is required to do under federal law, NJ.com said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection requires that the city test water for lead twice a year. According to the notice […]

Full article: Environmental Groups Sue Newark over Lead in Drinking Water

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In Echo of Flint, Lead Water Crisis Now Hits Newark, New Jersey

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