Pascrell Announces $1.5M to Keep Lead Out of School Drinking Water

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1,537,000 in federal funding to assist New Jersey with identifying sources of lead in drinking water in schools or childcare facilities

“From Flint to Newark, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects lead can have on our drinking water and on our communities. It is critical we protect our water systems from this contamination, and that begins with our schools and childcare facilities,” said Rep. Pascrell. “These funds will help our state identify lead in school water systems and keep our students safe. Exposure at any level is unacceptable and I will continue working to secure funding like this that helps facilities conduct necessary testing.”

Rep. Pascrell has led congressional efforts to prevent lead contamination of water supplies nationwide. He has worked with the Passaic Valley Water Commission, which provides water to several school districts in northern New Jersey, to ensure they are doing all that they can to educate the public when lead levels become elevated. He has introduced legislation that would fund lead testing at schools and daycare centers nationwide, legislation to unlock billions in investment in drinking water infrastructure, as well as legislation to create a grant program dedicated to fixing combined sewer overflow systems which have polluted our waterways and are a burden for too many communities along our rivers. Pascrell has also supported robust funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds since coming to Congress.

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