The city of Garfield is receiving $2.4 million in federal funds to remove lead pipes from the city’s water supply. The news is the latest announcement regarding federal infrastructure funds being used to make improvements in New Jersey. Given that New Jersey has about 350,000 known lead service lines, the money is very much needed.
But some advocates say it’s not enough. “That sounds like a lot, but if I had a $28,000 credit card bill, that’d be like a $2,400 payment. It helps, but it’s not going to pay for the whole thing,” said Diane Schrauth, the policy manager at NJ Future.
The infrastructure law provides $15 billion for states to replace lead service lines. New Jersey’s share of that is $248 million, or less than 10% of what experts say is needed to replace each lead line in the state.
Editor’s note: This item has been updated to correct the amount of funding New Jersey is receiving — $248 million.
