New Jersey receives $142 million to improve drinking water
On Tuesday, the federal government announced that $142 million would be invested in improving New Jersey's drinking water, according to a press release.
The funds originate from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will go toward New Jersey's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The fund helps strengthen water systems to ensure safe, clean drinking water is provided to all state residents.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said he appreciated seeing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to improve infrastructure in the state two years after its passing.
"Everyone should be able to trust the water from the tap," he said. "Today's announcement builds on the progress we're making to replace lead service lines across New Jersey."
Some New Jersey cities have a history of contaminated water — in 2016, officials discovered high levels of lead in Newark public schools' drinking water supply, according to an article from NJ Advance Media.
Since then, federal, state and local efforts have allowed the city to replace 23,000 lead water pipes, according to the release. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said the water issue in New Jersey disproportionately impacts certain groups of people.
"This significant federal investment will help communities across New Jersey—especially those disproportionately harmed by contaminants in water, from PFAS to lead—repair and upgrade aging drinking water systems," he said.
