THE CITY OF NEWARK LAUNCHES ITS LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM WITH A GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY!

The City of Newark held an official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, March 13th to announce construction of its $75 million Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement program. Phase I of the project, totaling over $12 million is being funded by the NJ Water Bank, a joint low-rate financing program of the DEP and the NJ I-Bank. The City is working to minimize lead exposure from drinking water plumbing in this first phase of the project by replacing 1,500 residential service lines made with lead materials. Newark resident, Kristin Burks-Mullings explained to the audience that she and her husband had gotten quotes to replace their LSL's totaling approximately $8,000. When she found out about the City's program offering to replace all known LSL's in the City at a reduced cost of up to $1,000, she and her husband jumped on the proposal with much appreciation.  

"Today's groundbreaking represents our commitment to delivering real, lasting solutions for the people of Newark by replacing decades-old residential lead service lines across our city," said Mayor Baraka. "As an older, urban community, Newark has outdated lead service lines, and we look forward to modernizing our infrastructure and reducing risk for Newark's families through the LSL Replacement Program." 

Andre Frye, an employee of Roman Asphalt Corporation and resident of Newark, thanked those present for the bid on the job. As an employee of a relatively small company, Frye indicated that he was gratified for the chance to work on a job that, in many cases, would have gone to a larger company.  

Newark is the largest city in the state of New Jersey, supplying potable water to a population of approximately 280,000. Located in the center of New Jersey's Gateway Region, the City has been a major regional commerce and transportation hub since the 19th century. The City provides approximately 80 million gallons per day of potable water to a population of over 300,000 customers within the City and its surrounding communities through a large, complex system.  
 

Photo: From left to right: Newark Resident, Kristin Burks-Mullings, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and DEP Commissioner, Catherine McCabe. Pictures courtesy of the City of Newark.