New Jersey To Change Methods For Responding To Lead Threat In Water

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said it is making changes to the way the state and its water utilities respond to the threat of lead in drinking water.

As WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini reported, the changes are outlined in a letter from the state DEP to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The federal agency asked states to assure the public they addressing lead risks in the wake of the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

New Jersey has been battling its own issues in recent months. Dozens of schools across the state have reported dangerous levels of lead in their water system.

In particular, the Newark School District turned off water at 30 schools last week after test results revealed unsafe lead levels. Blood tests were offered to 17,000 students at those schools for lead.

The state agency said it will ask water suppliers to post the whereabouts of lead service lines on their websites.

It says it's working to "strengthen" a rule that gives water utilities up to 30 days after exceeding safe drinking water standards to tell their customers about high lead results.