Syracuse residents raise concerns about living with lead

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — The City of Syracuse is working to calm the nerves of those worried about their drinking water's safety.

Residents continue to raise suspicions after two employees botched lead test results from the first half of 2024.

During the council's Public Works Committee meeting, city officials reiterated the lead testing was not accurate because of the tests done on the outside spigots and hoses. Testing results from the second half of the year were below the EPA-allowed level.

City officials invited the public to city hall Thursday evening, Nov. 14, to address concerns and discuss the facts about what is coming from the taps. People arrived at the common council chambers fired up after the potential of lead in their drinking water.

Kiara Van Brackle, a member of Families for Lead Freedom Now, said the city needs to be doing more to educate the public, and proper water filters need to be dispersed to homes that are impacted by lead line pipes.

"I would like to see the municipality declare a state of emergency," Van Brackle said. "If we declare a state of emergency, we could have funding now."

During the meeting, Third District Councilor, Corey Williams, said the city has a duty to find solutions that will put residents at ease and be transparent about current lead levels.

"Let's acknowledge that we have water coming from our taps that has higher levels of lead than we want," Williams said.

City officials said there is nothing to be alarmed about.

"I have a team that takes pride for many years in the quality of water we give the City of Syracuse...and I am absolutely confident in our water," Robert Brandt, the Commissioner of Water, said.

Brandt said the work is being done and people can be proactive in their everyday lives if they are concerned about their water. He added people can reduce exposure to lead by running the water from the faucet, using cold water, drinking bottled water, and using a reliable water filter.

City officials confirmed that they are working on the best ways to distribute water filters to people who want them. They added the city will be replacing up to 3,000 lead service lines in 2025 and replacing every line within five years.

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