909-548-4900
AMPAC USA - Advanced Water Treatment Solutions
Home Products Industries Applications Solutions Support Blog Contact Us
Back to Blog
Sep 11, 2019·8 min read
Newark Lead Crisis – City Gets 120 million
NewsResidential Water Filtration Systems

Newark Lead Crisis – City Gets $120 million

Sammy FaragAMPAC USA — September 11, 2019

Newark Lead Crisis – City Gets $120 million

By .
Quick Answer: Newark received $120 million in settlement funding to accelerate its lead service line replacement program, enabling the city to replace over 20,000 lead pipes. The program demonstrates that lead service line replacement — the only permanent solution to infrastructure-based lead contamination — is achievable at scale with adequate funding and political will.

Following the lead crisis news that broke earlier in August, the city has some good news. Essex County Improvement trust. This brings down the 10-year long plan of the city to replace more than 14,000 lead service pipelines to just 3 years.

The lead crisis which is ongoing since the past 3 years gained limelight recently after an EPA report that found the lead amount to be more than 15 parts per million in the water of 3 lead serviced houses. It seemed that the filters that were distributed last fall were ineffective against the contamination exposing the residents to a range of health risks. 

Newark Gets Assistance

Since March 2019, the city began replacing old pipes of the 18,000 old lead pipes, a few of which are over 100 years old. Initially the plan was to make the repairs in a duration of 10 years with an estimated budget of $75 million. The city asked the Federal Government to step in and take action regarding the problem fast. However, Newark officials said they could not wait any longer for the funding approval or consideration as the situation grows dangerous with every passing day.

The funds provided by Essex County are a boon for the city and it is estimated that the job will be completed between 24-30 months. Another great news for the residents is that the repair comes at no cost to the citizens and is completely paid for by the loan that was just granted.

What Can A Citizen Do?

While the pipes get repaired, it will take a minimum of 2 years to be completed for the city. Till then, the lead service lines may still expose the households to lead-contaminated water. The water bottles or filters provided by the city may not be enough and here is what you can do.

Get Emergency Equipment For Quick Filtration

This includes Emergency watermakers that are compact and convert bad water into drinking water. This particular model is a temporary solution for urgent needs but can be used for a wide range of other purposes later on. This machine can convert bad water from the sea, ground, your supply, brackish sources, lakes, and rivers to provide the same level of quality for a healthy body. Even after the temporary use, the watermaker is a good investment in the long run as it requires little maintenance and can be of help in future emergencies. You can get one here.

Get An RO For Your Home

Get a simple Household RO that filters any water that comes through the tap. You can choose from a range of Under sink Filters and Whole house Filters based on your needs. Purchasing an under-sink RO Filter that purifies every contaminant in your supply for years is a good option if you only want to purify drinking water. Getting a 3 or 4 or even 5 stage RO system would mean constant purification without any manual interference. For residents in Newark and especially homes that are more vulnerable, can get a 5-stage purifier as it comes with a remineralization filter that ensures unwanted contaminants are eliminated and important minerals remain. This particular model provides 45-50 gallons per day with minimum energy consumption.

Our line of whole house RO systems are recommended in case you need pure water for every household chore. With capacities ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 GPD, this equipment can provide for laundry, cleaning, cooking, washrooms flawlessly. A very easy to operate the system, you can get water from any faucet at the touch of a button. The water is fit for any purpose around the house. You can find one product that suits you here.

If you are in search of a particular product or solution to your water problem, you can get in touch with AMPAC USA on (909) 548 4900 or chat with us on www.ampac1.com. Our customer service providers at available 24×7 and experts are available for testing supply quality to offer you your best RO option. If you are someone in Newark worried about the water you are drinking, get in touch with us today!

What flow rates are available for emergency water treatment?

AMPAC USA's emergency systems range from 1,500 GPD portable units to 50,000+ GPD trailer-mounted systems. Military-specification units are available for forward operating base deployment, producing potable water meeting EPA and WHO drinking water standards from virtually any source.

Are emergency RO systems suitable for disaster relief operations?

Yes. AMPAC USA's emergency systems are used by FEMA, the U.S. military, and international NGOs for disaster relief. They treat flood water, contaminated groundwater, and brackish sources, removing bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants to produce safe drinking water on-site.

What power sources can emergency water purification systems use?

AMPAC USA's emergency systems can run on generator power (120/240V or 480V 3-phase), solar panels with battery backup, or vehicle power take-off (PTO). Low-power models consume as little as 0.5 kW, making them viable for off-grid deployment.

How durable are military-grade water purification systems?

AMPAC USA's military systems are built to MIL-SPEC standards with stainless steel frames, powder-coated components, and UV-resistant materials. They are designed to operate in temperatures from -20°F to 120°F and are vibration-tested for transport in military vehicles.

Conclusion

This post highlighted how emergency and military-grade water purification systems provide safe drinking water rapidly in the most challenging field conditions. For organizations requiring deployable water treatment capability, AMPAC USA engineers portable and trailer-mounted systems built to perform wherever they are needed. Contact our team at [email protected] or (909) 548-4900 to discuss your emergency water treatment requirements.

Lead Service Line Replacement: Newark’s Lessons for National Infrastructure

Newark’s $120 million settlement with the state of New Jersey and EPA enforcement agreement, reached in 2019, created one of the most ambitious lead service line replacement programs in US history. The funding enabled Newark to replace its estimated 18,000-23,000 lead service lines ahead of federally mandated timelines, providing free lead pipe replacement to affected homeowners. By 2021, Newark had replaced over 20,000 lead service lines, dramatically reducing lead levels in its water system and eliminating the primary contamination source for most affected households.

Newark’s experience provides important lessons for the national lead service line replacement challenge. The EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR, 2021) and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI, 2024) require utilities to create service line inventories and accelerate replacement timelines — the LCRI mandates complete lead service line replacement within 10 years of the rule’s effective date. The estimated 6-10 million lead service lines remaining in US water systems represent the largest remaining infrastructure-based lead exposure pathway. The Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) included $15 billion specifically for lead service line replacement — an unprecedented federal investment in this public health imperative.

While the Newark story is ultimately about infrastructure replacement, it also highlights the role of interim point-of-use treatment. During the period between lead contamination identification and full pipe replacement, homes remain at risk. NSF-certified point-of-use RO systems and certified lead-reducing pitcher filters provide verifiable protection during this transition period. AMPAC USA works with housing authorities and public health programs to provide certified POU treatment to lead-affected communities pending infrastructure upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much did Newark's lead pipe replacement program cost?

A: Newark received $120 million in settlement funding from the state and EPA enforcement agreement, covering replacement of over 20,000 lead service lines with no cost to individual homeowners. The program is considered one of the most comprehensive and rapid lead service line replacement efforts in US history.

Q: How many lead service lines remain in the US?

A: EPA and industry estimates suggest 6-10 million lead service lines remain in service across the US, concentrated in older industrial cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $15 billion specifically for lead service line replacement.

Q: What is a lead service line?

A: A lead service line (LSL) is the pipe connecting the water main under the street to a home or building. Lead pipes were used for service lines until they were banned for new installations in 1986. They remain the primary source of lead contamination in drinking water where corrosive water chemistry causes lead to leach from the pipe into drinking water.

Q: What is the EPA Lead and Copper Rule?

A: The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR, 1991, revised 2021 as LCRR and 2024 as LCRI) sets action levels (15 ppb for lead, 1.3 mg/L for copper) that trigger mandatory utility response when exceeded. The 2024 LCRI requires all utilities to replace lead service lines within 10 years of the rule's effective date.

Q: How can homeowners protect themselves while waiting for service line replacement?

A: Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Install NSF Standard 58 (RO) or NSF Standard 53 (lead-certified) point-of-use filters at drinking water taps. Flush the tap for 30 seconds before use if not filtered. Contact your utility to schedule LSL replacement and check priority programs.

Q: What is the difference between a partial and full lead service line replacement?

A: A full replacement removes both the utility-owned portion (public right of way to meter) and the private portion (meter to building). Partial replacement (utility side only) can temporarily increase lead in drinking water as disturbance of the old pipe dislodges lead particles. Full replacement is the only approach that permanently eliminates LSL lead risk.

Scroll to Top