Bottled water sent to Newark residents affected by high lead levels was expired

An initial shipment of bottled water for Newark residents affected by potentially high lead levels has been found to be past its "best by" date — but state officials say no one is at risk.

Twenty-thousand cases were distributed Monday after tests showed lead in a few homes where residents have been using filters.

The state ordered 20,000 replacement cases and 50,000 more that were to be delivered Tuesday.

With no timetable on when a solution could be found, Gov. Phil Murphy has called on the federal government to provide aid. 

"We need the federal government to do its share and punch its weight,'' Murphy said in a Newark news conference Wednesday. 

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State health officials say expiration dates aren't required on bottled water but that some companies use them to help manage stock rotation.

Newark has given out more than 30,000 filters since last year after the city found high lead levels due to lead service lines to some homes.

A press release from the city on Monday said that three filters were tested and two of the filters were not removing enough lead. 

City officials then notified residents that the filters may be ineffective and advised residents to use bottled water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula. 

The Environmental Protection Agency said in the statement that it is working with state officials to address the issue. The agency advised residents to use bottled water until additional testing results can be "fully understood" and a solution can be put in place. 

Staff writer Anthony Zurita contributed to this article.