National Action Needed Now to Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water

The disaster of lead in our drinking water is too critical and too widespread for municipalities to tackle alone, or with State assistance. Over 1.5 million New Jerseyans, all around the State, run the risk of lead poisoning, every time they open the tap.

The NJ League of Municipalities will stand with Mayors across the State, who are finding elevated lead levels in their drinking water. We have begun posting information and other resources on the Lead Hazards page on our website. And we encourage local leaders experiencing problems to contact us, directly.

But this is not only a Garden State problem. As I meet Mayors from across the Country, at this week’s gathering of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, in Washington, it is crystal clear. This is a national emergency.

New Jersey’s local leaders call on our representatives in Washington for immediate aid. It is time to stop talking about the need for a major Federal infrastructure improvement program. It is time to act, and begin to deliver on the campaign-trail promises.

We thank our New Jersey delegation for their focus on lead contaminated drinking water. We stand with them.

For starters, we call on Congress and the Executive Branch to agree to fund those parts of the government effected by the shut-down. The women and men who guard our coasts are fulfilling their duties, but not getting paid. Federal law enforcement agents are upholding the rule of law, protecting our citizens, and preserving order, but not getting paid. The people who ensure secure air travel, across the country and around the world, are struggling to keep us safe, but not getting paid.

But that’s not all. The Federal Departments responsible for, among other needs, protecting the Nation’s water infrastructure – the Departments of Environmental Protection, Agriculture, and Housing and Urban – are all crippled by the shut-down.

New Jersey should take the leadership in advancing 21st century infrastructure, be it rail, energy, roads or simply the ability to turn on the faucet for safe drinking water.

Contact for comments: Hon. Colleen Mahr, President, NJLM and Mayor, Borough of Fanwood, mayor@fanwoodnj.org, 908-322-8236.

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