Court: Newark residents serviced by Wanaque System not eligible for free water

A federal court has ruled that not all Newark residents are eligible for free bottled water amid the city’s lead contamination crisis.
The National Resources Defense Council and the Newark Education Workers Caucus filed a petition seeking bottled water for Newark residents who received water from the Wanaque Treatment System. But the judge ruled that the water from that source was safe to drink.
The Education Workers Caucus issued a statement following the decision that stated, “This decision is disappointing. Newark and the state of New Jersey should care enough about our communities to provide bottled water to vulnerable residents in all neighborhoods harmed by lead in their water."
Newark residents served by the Pequannock system will continue to receive free bottled water while the city continues to replace lead service lines.