NEWARK’S CONTAMINATED WATER Presented by Dominic Carter
NEWARK IS WEEKS INTO AN ESCALATING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS CAUSED BY ELEVATED LEVELS OF LEAD IN THE WATER.
How Bad Is the Problem? In some homes where the water has been tested, lead measured a *staggering* 76.2 parts per million.
“WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT OVER 15 PARTS PER MILLION, 15 PARTS PER MILLION, YOU START TO SEE IRREVERSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, VERY AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN DEVELOPING CHILDREN.” — HEATHER KOLLAR/H20CLEANSE
In this crisis, many see bottled water as their only quick fix‌.and a way of life.
“I put water in my cup to brush my teeth. I open up like 10 bottles of water if I want to cook some rice or something. I don’t use tap water. The only time I use tap water is when I’m taking a shower.” — Marlene Butterfield/Newark Resident
DOMINIC CARTER: "YOU'RE TELLING ME, YOU BUY WATER TO EVEN BRUSH YOUR TEETH?" ”TO BRUSH MY TEETH. BECAUSE I HAVE AN 8 YEAR OLD SON, SO I CAN’T AFFORD TO EXPOSE HIM TO WHATEVER IS GOING ON.” — CHARITY ACHONYE/NEWARK RESIDENT
The Good News Here’s the good news. It appears relief is on the way with Newark racing to replace lead pipes with a 120 million dollar bond to pay for it. The announcement came from Governor Phil Murphy and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
But the City administration of Newark is on the defensive. A sign dead center, in front of City Hall reads:
“AMERICA’S OLD INFRASTRUCTURE IS AN AMERICAN PROBLEM. NOT JUST A NEWARK PROBLEM.”
The process to replace the pipes has been fast tracked. AND city residents are no longer on the hook to pay $1,000 to replace the pipes directly leading to their home.
“THAT’S A GREAT DEVELOPMENT, AND GOOD NEWS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THIS CITY. A PROJECT THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD TAKE 10 YEARS TO DO…SEEMS LIKE IT’S SHRINKING MY THE MOMENT. NOW THERE ARE THOUGHTS THAT IT COULD TAKE AS LITTLE AS FIVE TO FOUR TO THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE. SO WE’RE VERY EXCITED. ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM AND NOT BE A BURDEN TO THE HOME OWNER IS GOOD NEWS”. — CONGRESSMAN DONALD PAYNE JR.
BUT SOME RESIDENTS REMAIN ANGRY AND LIVID AT THE POLITICAL PROCESS. “This public health crisis was man made. It could have been avoided, but it wasn’t because we have mismanagement, inadequate personnel who is not even certified to deal with Water, in treating our water.” — Shakima Thomas/Mother & Newark Water Coalition Member
Unfortunately it seems like America’s problem with it’s drinking water is going to get worse before it gets better. Even bottled water may not be the answer.
“BOTTLED WATER IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PLASTIC LEECHES, THERE’S NO GUARANTEE ON THE QUALITY OF WATER.” — HEATHER KOLLAR/H20CLEANSE
Check out medium.com/@dominiccartertv for the full story and to watch the full interviews.