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The City of Syracuse is distributing free water filters today (December 10) to address concerns about high lead levels in drinking water. The distribution will take place at the OnCenter from noon until 6 p.m. and will continue tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This initiative aims to safeguard residents, especially vulnerable populations, from potential lead exposure.
The program, a partnership between Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse, targets households with pregnant women and children aged six and under. Over 1,000 filters have already been distributed to families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The filters are Brita Elite brand, NSF-certified, and capable of removing lead.
Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County Executive, emphasized the importance of providing safe drinking water, stating, "Filter distribution is an additional step in safeguarding residents." Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh noted that while recent water samples meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, earlier errors in sampling protocols raised concerns.
The initiative will expand to include families with children in pre-K through first grade in the Syracuse City School District, as well as daycares and other caregivers. The city has long added a chemical to its water to slow lead leaching, but the pipes running from streets into homes remain a concern.
Residents are advised to run their taps for at least one minute each morning to help reduce lead levels. For more information, visit the City of Syracuse's water initiatives page.