Longshoremen, Uber pitch in to help in Newark water crisis

The International Longshoremen Association and ride-sharing company Uber are doing their part to help the people of Newark deal with lead contamination in their drinking water.

News 12 Staff

Aug 29, 2019, 10:15 PM

Updated 1,708 days ago

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The International Longshoremen Association and ride-sharing company Uber are doing their part to help the people of Newark deal with lead contamination in their drinking water.
The International Longshoremen Association Local 1233 has been donating cases of bottled water to city residents. Newark officials have also been providing free bottled water.
“I know that this whole community of Newark needs water. Fresh water. Clean water. Old people, young people, anybody,” says longshoreman Ali Vining.
Newark has been providing bottled water for about two weeks, ever since the Environmental Protection Agency determined that water filters originally provided to residents serviced by the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant were not clearing out enough lead.
“Only bottled water from now on at my house,” says Davone Jones, a father of an 8-year-old and infant. Jones says that his family will use bottled water for pretty much everything.
“We use bottled water to bathe my 2-month-old,” he says.
Sade Spivey is five months pregnant and says she doesn't want to risk exposing her unborn or her other children to lead.
"I don't think I want my child to be intoxicated with any of that water,” she says. “And then I have a disabled child and we don't drink the faucet water."
The longshoremen will be providing more water on Friday.
Meanwhile, city officials have announced a partnership with Uber. Those in the Pequannock service area can get four rides to city distribution centers for free, up to $20 to pick up water. Eligible residents can use code NWK20.


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