Newark is announcing a plan to dramatically cut the time it will take to replace pipes that are causing elevated lead levels in drinking water.
Officials announced Monday that they plan to borrow $120 million through county-backed bonds.
City officials have estimated at that it would take about 10 years to replace the approximately 18,000 lines that must go. The bonds could reduce that to under 30 months.
Nearly 800 lines have been replaced since March.
Newark passed out nearly 40,000 water filters beginning last year but had to start passing out bottled water two weeks ago after a few homes using the filters had higher-than-expected lead levels.
Testing is ongoing to determine whether the filters are working properly.
