NJ Lawmakers Looking Into State's Aging Water Infrastructure
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey lawmakers worried about lead that was found in the Newark public schools' drinking water are holding a hearing to look more closely at the state's aging infrastructure.
The Assembly's Environment Committee is set to meet Monday afternoon to consider the state's drinking water pipes and whether there is a threat of lead contamination to residents.
The hearing comes after elevated levels of lead caused officials in New Jersey's largest school district to shut off water fountains at 30 school buildings last month until more tests could be conducted.
Newark schools released data last week showing that lead above the federally recommended threshold had been found in eight facilities used by city and charter schools.
"There exists the presence of lead in water systems, possibly across the state," Assembly member Grace Spencer told WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron.
Spencer said it's important to be proactive rather than reactive.
"Any system that exists and is that old, more than likely those pipes have been soldered at some point with a material that has lead in it," she said.
Spencer estimates that at least a third of New Jersey's school districts have aging water systems.
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