FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lead-Free NJ Statement on Passage of the
Federal Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill

CONTACT

Tasha Humphrey | Lead-Free New Jersey program manager
thumphrey@njfuture.org

 

TRENTON, Nov. 12, 2021The co-chairs of LeadFree NJ released the following statement on passage of the federal infrastructure package, which will provide New Jersey with funding to replace lead water pipes:

“The passage of the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill with funding to replace lead drinking water pipes is an important step forward in protecting our families’ health,” said LeadFree NJ Co-chair Debbie Mans. “We applaud our entire New Jersey delegation in demonstrating that improving infrastructure and investing in our communities is a bipartisan issue. As Newark has demonstrated, replacing lead pipes can be done quickly and efficiently. New Jersey has many more communities that need to replace their lead pipes, and this bill will bring much-needed funding to get that done.”
 
“The $15 billion for lead service line removal included in this bill will provide our state with additional funds toward ensuring that all New Jerseyans have clean, safe drinking water, and I want to recognize our New Jersey delegates from both sides of the aisle for their work,” said LeadFree NJ Co-chair Rashan Prailow. “Now we look forward to working with them to also provide funding solutions for lead paint, which is desperately needed to ensure that all homes are lead-safe.”
 
 

Lead-Free NJ was founded in 2021 as an equitable and inclusive collaborative. The organization works to ensure that New Jersey’s children are free from lead poisoning and that our environment is lead-safe by advocating for changes to state and local policy. Lead-Free NJ seeks to eliminate racial and economic inequities by focusing on legacy lead hazards in low-income communities and/or communities of color, while also creating the conditions for children to be free from lead poisoning statewide.