U.S. Sen. Cory Booker who once led New Jersey’s largest city, co-authored a letter to the federal government on Tuesday urging “immediate assistance” for Newark as officials there distribute bottled water to protect residents from potential lead exposure.
The mass distribution of bottled water began Monday, three days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asked Newark to do so. The quick decision was based on surprising test results that showed water filters at two homes were not eliminating enough lead. About 38,000 filters have been distributed in the city.
“We urge EPA to identify additional resources to offer assistance in providing bottled water to Newark residents in order to ensure a sustained source of clean drinking water while further sampling is conducted,” Booker, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, and Reps. Albio Sires and Donald Payne, Jr. said.