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Community organizers urge Trenton schools to apply for NJ lead‑filter funding after tests show elevated levels
Summary
An advocate from UrbanPromise and community speakers urged the district to apply for the NJ DOE School Lead Filters Program; commenters cited 2022 and 2025 test results showing multiple outlets above EPA action levels and urged maintenance and program expansion.
At public participation, community organizer Sheryl Snyder of UrbanPromise urged the Trenton Board of Education to apply for the New Jersey Department of Education School Lead Filters Program and to continue removing lead from school drinking water.
Snyder recited testing results: she said 2022 tests showed outlets in 25 schools exceeding the EPA/New Jersey DEP action level of 15 parts per billion, with some results reported above 100 parts per billion and some over 1,000 parts per billion. She said 2025 testing reduced the number of schools exceeding the action level to four and that the highest 2025 result was 50 parts per billion. Snyder asked the district to apply for the available reimbursement funding (she cited $19,720 as a qualifying reimbursement figure) for point‑of‑use filtered bottle fillers and faucets, with a Sept. 30, 2026 application deadline.
"Exposure to even small amounts of lead can cause irreversible damage to developing brains," Snyder said, and she urged the district to maintain and replace filters as necessary so remediation remains effective. The board response thanked commenters and noted the grant application item was on the finance recommendations for approval that evening.
The board later identified the NJDOE School Lead Filters Program on the agenda and signaled intent to pursue the application; members also asked staff about how schools are designated to receive donations and grants.
