Syracuse Sun

Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse have announced a joint initiative to distribute free water filters to households in Syracuse with pregnant women and children aged six and under. This program aims to address concerns about potential lead contamination in drinking water due to lead service lines in some homes.

The initial distribution of filters will target participants of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and eligible residents during the Salvation Army Christmas Bureau Registration Days. Further plans include collaboration with the Syracuse City School District to extend distribution to households with children from pre-kindergarten through first grade starting in December. Additional distributions will be made available for child daycares, charter schools, and other caregivers serving young children.

"Providing safe and reliable drinking water is a top priority for both the County and the City," stated Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County Executive. He added that "filter distribution is being provided as an additional step in safeguarding residents, particularly children and vulnerable populations pending final validation of updated water sampling results."

Mayor Ben Walsh reiterated the City's dedication to resolving this issue: "Our latest sampling shows Syracuse drinking water meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lead standards. Errors in sampling protocols from earlier in the year have created concerns, so we want to be sure vulnerable populations have access to water filters."

Eligible households include those with children aged six and under who live there or visit often, pregnant residents, and other at-risk individuals. The program offers a Brita Elite brand NSF-certified water filter and pitcher capable of removing lead, along with instructions for use and installation—one per eligible household.

Residents can pick up their water filters at designated locations including the WIC Gifford Street site or during Salvation Army Christmas Bureau Registration Days.

Dr. Kathryn Anderson, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, emphasized shared responsibility in public health protection: "Water filters are an effective tool for immediately reducing potential lead exposures from service lines." She also suggested letting taps run for one minute each morning before using water for consumption or cooking as an additional precautionary measure.

For more information on these initiatives by the City of Syracuse, visit syr.gov/Lead-Free-Syracuse.