Shakima Thomas with her son Bryce at her home in Newark, New Jersey. Shakima's home water pipe was recently replaced. Newark is still in the process of fixing the corrosion control treatment process at the Pequannock plant, which is contributing to the elevated lead levels.
Only certain Newark residents have access to free water filters at limited distribution points.
Water bottles awaiting pickup on the porch of a Newark home.
Newark Water Coalition cofounder Sabre Bee is often out in the neighborhoods, handing out educational materials on the dangers of lead exposure and talking with fellow residents, like this shopkeeper on South Orange Avenue, about how to receive one of the filters promised by the city.
Anthony Diaz, cofounder of the Newark Water Coalition, before the start of a Newark Water Coalition community meeting.
Diaz shares information on the lead contamination.
Residents look over handout materials and listen to presentations.
Thomas at her home in Newark, where the water pipes were recently replaced, but concern for her family’s health and community remain.
Thomas’s son, Bryce, uses the water filter in the family kitchen. Lead levels in the water of their home measured a staggering 76.2 parts per billion in February 2019.
Water pooling from recently repaired and replaced water lines in Newark, New Jersey. Newark is still in the process of fixing the corrosion control treatment process at the Pequannock plant, which is contributing to the elevated lead levels.
Yvette Jordan, a founding member of the NEW Caucus, at home in Newark’s South Ward. Jordan, a teacher, included a lesson on environmental justice in a recent class, in which she discussed the lead in Newark’s water and shared articles from Flint to help students understand the links.
Even low-levels of lead exposure have been linked to irreversible health problems and, for years, Newark has had the greatest number of lead- poisoned children in New Jersey.
