Story by Edwin J. Viera, New York News Connection
New data show lead levels in Syracuse’s drinking water are higher than those in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey.
The city’s tests show lead levels are at 70 parts per billion with more than 14,000 homes containing lead pipes.
Erik D. Olson, senior strategic director for health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, noted along with corrosive lead pipes, other factors make it a precarious situation.
“When cities have not been doing the kind of upkeep that they need to do and pulling out these lead pipes when they come across them, or having an affirmative program to remove them, which some of the cities that are sort of looking forward have been doing for years, what we have is these situations where we are one mistake away from a public health crisis,” Olson contended.
To remedy it, Olson feels the city must better inform residents, noting public officials downplaying the severity of this can lead to long-term health impacts. He believes Syracuse should provide residents with certified water filters to remove lead and premixed baby formula so families are not making it with lead-contaminated water.
Another way the city can reduce lead levels is by re-evaluating how it treats water so the lead is caught quickly. If there are legal impediments or the city cannot access a home, Olson said Syracuse has to do what places like Newark did in the same situation.
“Adopt a local ordinance that said that any adult occupant of the home can give permission to replace the lead pipe,” Olson urged.
He added the city must ensure the water utility picks up the tab since billing homeowners could be an environmental justice issue. Replacing every lead pipe in Syracuse could cost as much as $98 million but the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $15 billion for lead pipe replacement.
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