New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Statement On Plan to Address Newark’s Water Quality Crisis

TRENTON, NJ – Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, released the following statement on the joint announcement by Governor Murphy, Mayor Baraka, and Essex County Leadership to address lead contaminated-drinking water in Newark:

“Clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. New Jersey LCV is happy to learn that Governor Murphy, Mayor Baraka, and Essex County leadership came together to find a solution to the water quality issues plaguing Newark and surrounding communities. People shouldn’t have to wonder if they and their families are at risk for drinking lead contaminated water,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “We are especially pleased to see that these lead pipes are being replaced at no cost to homeowners, as it’s often low-income communities that are disproportionately affected by lead contamination. We hope that Newark becomes a model for communities around the country struggling with deteriorating lead infrastructure. We also call on the Trump Administration to make funds available to address this public health emergency in communities throughout the country and to protect communities and families from the potentially life long health impacts of lead poisoning.”

New Jersey League of Conservation Voters is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to elect environmental champions, hold public officials accountable, and support laws which protect our environment and improve the quality of people’s lives.

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