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Your Update from Lead-Free NJ \| September 2025

Deadline to Sign on is Today: Ask NJ DOE for More Support on School Water Infrastructure Grants

NJ schools can apply for grants through NJ DOE to remediate lead and other contaminants in drinking water. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025, and the total grant allocation is over $94 million. Learn more here.

Spread awareness by sharing this opportunity on social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Bluesky

Sign on to our letter (deadline is today September 30) to the NJ DOE requesting that additional support and guidance is provided to NJ schools so they can take full advantage of this funding.

Sign on - NJ DOE

Legislative Updates

Water Win: Acting Governor Tahesha Way signed into law A2929/S1034, which improves lead in drinking water disclosure and testing for NJ tenants. This was made possible by advocates at New Jersey Future, Isles, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Housing & Community Development Network of NJ, Clean Water Action New Jersey, Environment New Jersey; plus leadership and collaboration at New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey Department of Health, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Learn more here.

Lead testing during Pregnancy: Senate Bill S3616 would require lead screening for pregnant individuals under certain conditions, helping prevent serious health risks to both parent and baby—especially for Black pregnant individuals, who face higher rates of maternal complications. The Assembly version (A4848) passed unanimously. Now, we need the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee to hear the bill. New Jersey Future and Isles, Inc., are calling on Senate leaders to prioritize this bill and protect maternal health.

Mark your Calendar for Fall Events

Paterson Environmental Justice Community Engagement Session, September 30, 6-8pm, Register	New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards, October 9, 5:30pm, Register and see all winners here, winner Oliver Station in Camden is an affordable senior housing community with Virtua primary health care on site.

Rutgers Environmental Health Summit, October 10, 9:30am - 4pm, Register	Trenton Lead Awareness Cookout, October 11, 10am - 2pm, James Sonny Vereen Park. Childhood lead testing, food, games, music!

Paterson Alliance Lead Prevention Week Workshops, October 21 & 23, Register	HCDNNJ Conference, October 24, Register

	(Pictured left) Isles Fall Forum, October 31, 9am-3:30pm, Social Profit Center at Mill One in Hamilton, Register

Make your Voice Heard

The Pediatric Pulse: The Impact of Pediatric Lead Screening and Testing Barriers on Patient Care, deadline 10/31

Take the Survey

Public input for the NJ Environmental Justice Advisory Council, deadline 10/6

	The New Jersey General Election is November 4, 2025. This election will determine the next Governor of NJ. Make sure you're registered to vote, and review What Every New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate Should Know about Lead.

Lead in the News

Food

Health

Water

Paint

NJ town passed up $2M for removing lead hazard, despite dozens of lead-poisoned kids

Other

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Voluntary Lead-free Ammunition Incentive Program for 2025-2026 Hunting Season

Lead-contaminated paint, water, and soil, and other sources disproportionately affects young children, causing serious medical and behavioral issues into adulthood, and low-income communities and/or communities of color are most at risk, due to systemic inequities. However, these issues can be prevented by targeting the sources of lead. Working together as Lead-Free NJ, an inclusive and equitable collaborative focused on removing lead from New Jersey’s environment, we can address this complex problem on a larger scale than any individual or organization can alone. The time is now to demand action and organize for state-wide lead remediation in every home, childcare facility, school, and water system.

Staff Contacts: Heather Sorge, program manager (609) 262-3646 (direct), hsorge@njfuture.org; Cassie Bolinger, program coordinator, 609-262-3541 (direct), cbolinger@njfuture.org.

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New Jersey Future is a member of Lead-Free NJ, and serves as the “backbone” staff for the collaborative. NJF staff coordinate the day-to-day activities of each collaborative in support of its shared purpose.

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