Letter to Eric Gernath, CEO of SUEZ North America - Gottheimer Calls On State, Suez To Address Lead In Water

Letter

Dear Mr. Gernath:

Last week, dangerously high levels of lead were found in 16 out of 108 homes tested across Hudson and Bergen Counties. Disturbingly, all of these homes receive their water from the Haworth Water Treatment Plant in the Fifth District, which, according to the Star-Ledger, serves nearly 800,000 residents -- including children and their families -- in fifty-seven towns across northern New Jersey. This is an alarming issue for our community and I need your personal commitment to addressing it quickly.

Like all Americans, New Jersey families must have access to clean drinking water. I am deeply committed to protecting our communities from lead and other dangerous contaminants, which can be harmful to children seniors especially. Parents are justifiably alarmed at the results of the test which indicated levels of lead reaching 18 parts per billion, well above the federal standard of 15 parts per billion. Knowing of the technology available, there is no reason why North Jersey families should be facing this reality in 2019.

I appreciate your time briefing local elected officials and me in the days immediately following the announcement. The families impacted and their representatives need an open line of communication to ensure there is transparency and access to clean water data.

I appreciate you making information available on your website for customers to request free at-home water testing and for your other measures to help address the community's concerns.

As we discussed in our conversation, I am requesting you to:

1. Provide "self assessment" information to customers, as many are unaware that they have lead pipes in their home;

2. Make the action plan required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection available to the public;

3. Review and revise your timetable to fully replace lead pipes. This should be done as soon as possible;

4. Send notifications to residents, as well as account holders, so that renters may have immediate access to information.

5. Ensure that information and test results shared with customers be provided in clear, easy to understand information.

Please provide a written update within five business days of this letter detailing your plans to address these items.

I also understand that Suez's communications with the public on this issue must be approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. I will be asking the DEP and the Governor to review these communications within 24-48 hours, particularly if the public's health is at risk, so that information gets to the public in a timely manner.

I will continue fighting to make sure that New Jersey children and families have access to clean and safe drinking water. I look forward to hearing you personally on this important matter as soon as possible. If you have any additional questions, please contact me at (201) 389-1100.

Sincerely,

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