In a recent government meeting, officials from the City of Syracuse discussed critical updates regarding lead levels in the city's drinking water. The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to monitor and mitigate lead exposure, particularly from aging service lines, with an estimated 14,000 lines potentially containing lead.

The Water Department has been treating the water with orthophosphate, a chemical additive that forms a protective coating in pipes to minimize lead leaching. Historically, the department conducted water testing every three years, sampling 100 to 120 homes voluntarily. However, new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have mandated a shift to biannual testing.

In the first round of sampling for 2024, the Water Department tested 104 homes, revealing that 27 of these exceeded the EPA's action level for lead. This prompted immediate notification to the state and county health departments, as well as a citywide alert to residents, providing guidance on reducing lead exposure.

Of the 27 homes that tested above the action level, 24 agreed to retesting, with only one home currently showing elevated lead levels. Officials noted that these results were atypical compared to historical data, prompting further investigation into the causes of the outlier results.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to ensuring safe drinking water and the proactive measures being taken to address potential health risks associated with lead exposure. Further testing results are anticipated as the city continues to monitor the situation closely.