In Passaic County, a massive project is underway to remove and replace 6,500 lead service lines. Half of them are located in Paterson. The Passaic Valley Water Commission and Mayor Andre Sayegh announced Thursday the start of the work. This includes investigating another 11,000 service lines that may also be posing a serious health risk. The aging pipes connect the water main to water lines inside homes and buildings. The roughly $50 million project is being paid for through a state bond and loan forgiveness program, through legislation requiring all lead and galvanized steel service lines to be replaced by 2031.
There is no safe level of lead exposure. But it’s not just found in drinking water. Lead is still present in old paint found in the aging housing stock across New Jersey and a common source of poisoning for young kids. A new law requires the state to remediate thousands of lead-burdened homes. It is going into effect this week.
