Flint, Now Newark, What Tomorrow? Lead Contamination

 

The EPA took filtered water samples from Newark homes earlier this month and found that several of them had lead levels exceeding the federal threshold of 15 parts per billion. 

It was found that lead was leaching into the water because of ineffective corrosion treatment at the city’s Pequannock plant,” The New York Times reported. See the brand new Pequannanock plant (pic) that cost a hundred million dollars.  “Last year, lead levels in more than half the samples tested at homes served by the plant exceeded the 15 parts per billion standard.”

Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued a joint statement asking the federal government for help in resolving the crisis. 

My Take: After Flint's Lead National Emergency and generous Federal grant, I was expecting another Black city with leaden water. Again, incompetent municipal governance plus lazy water treatment plant personnel. Pic.: Ras Baraka.