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Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse are joining forces to distribute water filters to households with pregnant women and children aged six and under. The initiative is a response to concerns about potential lead presence in drinking water due to lead service lines in some Syracuse homes. Despite these concerns, officials maintain that Syracuse's drinking water meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lead standards.
The program will provide a Brita Elite brand water filter and pitcher, which are capable of removing lead, to each eligible household. The filters will initially be available to participants of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and qualifying residents during the Salvation Army Christmas Bureau Registration Days. Further distribution will be made to child daycares, charter schools, and other caregivers who serve young children and infants.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon stated that providing safe and reliable drinking water is a top priority for both the County and the City. Mayor Ben Walsh echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the City's commitment to addressing the issue.
Dr. Kathryn Anderson, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, reminded residents that protecting public health is a shared responsibility. She suggested that residents can also reduce potential lead exposures by letting the tap run for one minute in the morning before using the water for drinking or cooking.
For more information about the City of Syracuse water initiatives, visit the Lead-Free Syracuse page on the City's official website.