NJ unveils 3-pronged approach to combat lead in school drinking water

New Jersey officials have unveiled new ways to combat lead-contaminated drinking water in the state’s schools.

News 12 Staff

Oct 7, 2019, 8:23 PM

Updated 1,664 days ago

Share:

New Jersey officials have unveiled new ways to combat lead-contaminated drinking water in the state’s schools.
Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer discussed the changes Monday at a news conference in Bergenfield, the congressman's district.
The governor says that lead in water is a statewide problem and introduced a three-pronged approach to help combat the issue.
“We will 1. Strengthen the state Department of Education’s safe drinking water regulations. 2. Make all school districts’ lead testing information available in a single, easily navigated website. And 3. Use the funding available through the voter-approved ‘Securing Our Children's Future Bond Act’ to prioritize and undertake remediation projects for districts facing high lead levels,” Murphy said.
Murphy also says schools will have to test the water every three years, not every six. Other changes include public reporting of schools that are out of compliance as well as certain penalties.
A recent report by Gottheimer found about 20% of the school districts in his northern New Jersey district don't report results online. It also found 46 of the districts had at least one facility with a lead problem.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
1:57
Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

1:52
Morning showers lead to warm, sunnier afternoon in the Hudson Valley

Morning showers lead to warm, sunnier afternoon in the Hudson Valley

0:43
Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

1:02
Drug Takeback Day encourages Rockland residents to properly dispose of unused, expired medications

Drug Takeback Day encourages Rockland residents to properly dispose of unused, expired medications

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

0:31
Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:23
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

0:20
City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

0:41
Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

0:22
Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

0:35
Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:52
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

0:32
Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

0:52
'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years