Officials of Newark, a city in New Jersey stated that consumption of tap water has become safe once again.

As per the preliminary results issued by state and city officials, about 97% of the city-issued filters tested, cut down lead levels in the tap water.

About 99% of the filters also cut down lead levels when faucets were run for at least five minutes.

The city officials had taken over 1,700 samples from 300 filters. Newark authorities distributed about 38,000 water filters.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying: “We are not in any way having a victory lap.

“It is good news in a long and arduous task to make sure we have clean drinking water.”

These tests results come following a smaller round of testing in August, during which it was found that two filters out of three tested could not cut down lead sufficiently.

This compelled the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to urge residents to use bottled water.

Consumers of the Pequannock water-service area, which was at risk for high levels of lead, were asked to use only bottled water for drinking and cooking.

The EPA, which has received a draft report on the test results, is currently reviewing the findings.

The agency added: “While EPA is still evaluating the report, EPA agrees that the preliminary data show the combination of flushing and proper use of filters is working to reduce lead in drinking water.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said the test “results are a welcome jolt of positive news.”