PVWC joins the Knock The Lead Out press conference with Paterson Mayor Sayegh, Congressman Bill Pascrell and the Paterson Health Department on October 10, 2019.
Mayor Sayegh and Paterson Health Department emphasized the prevention of lead poisoning in children by removing lead from all sources in homes as well as partnering with Passaic Valley Water Commission to cover open finished reservoirs.
Excerpts from Passaic Valley Water Commission Executive Director, Joe Bella follows:
The issue for PVWC is two-fold. The first is to close the Levine and New Street Reservoirs. We’ve been trying to close the Levine Reservoir for nearly a decade. Open reservoirs prevent us from treating the water with phosphates which will minimize the presence of lead in water. The second issue is gaining access homes and multi-family residences to replace the customer-owned lead water lines from the curb into the building.
That’s why we’re excited to partner with the City of Paterson to conduct outreach to the residents in an effort to increase their awareness about the risks of lead in the drinking water and to offer ways for them to reduce those risks. We’ve created flyers and signs and will be working with the Division of Health to have those materials posted in storefronts and distributed to residents at risks. These materials will be available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Arabic and Bangla.We’ve also created social media ads that will be appearing on Facebook and Instagram over the next weeks and months. We are coordinating with community-based organizations to reach out to their constituents and members. And, in the near future, we’ll be reaching out directly to pediatricians and other doctors, as well as preschools and daycares to alert residents.
One final point I’d like to make is to encourage all Paterson residents to reach out to our Customer Service Department to have our service team members test the water and check for lead pipes in the home. The contact number is 973-340-4300.
Related news articles:
Fios 1 News – Tackling Lead In Water, Paterson
News 12 – Gov. Murphy seeks $500M bond to replace lead paint, pipes
