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A community group in Syracuse is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to declare a water emergency due to concerns over lead levels in the city's water supply. Families for Lead Freedom Now has filed a legal petition requesting that the EPA use its emergency powers under the Safe Drinking Water Act to address what they describe as a "lead water crisis" in Syracuse. The group advocates for families affected by childhood lead poisoning and is calling for the city to provide at-the-tap water filters, launch a public education campaign, and create a plan to remove lead hazards, especially in the most affected communities.
Oceanna Fair, Chair of Families for Lead Freedom Now, emphasized the importance of clean water, stating, "Clean water is a human right recognized by our state constitution. In Syracuse, every drop of water should nourish, not harm." The group believes that as long as lead service lines exist, the health and future of residents, particularly children, are at risk. They are demanding transparency, urgency, and clean water, asserting that safe drinking water is a right, not a privilege.
In response to these concerns, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Mayor Ben Walsh have stated that unprecedented efforts are being made to eliminate lead contamination in the area.