During National Lead Prevention Week, local officials in Onondaga County and the city of Syracuse offered their own assessments of progress on eliminating lead exposure in drinking water. The evaluations come as the county and city continue to grapple with thousands of aging lead service lines that threaten the health of families, especially young children.
Mayor’s Call for Faster Action
On Oct. 26, Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens told reporters the city must accelerate its lead‑service‑line replacement program. The municipality has identified more than 17,000 lead service lines. Owens said the city plans to replace roughly 1,700 of those lines this year, but emphasized that “much more needs to be done” to protect residents.
When asked to grade the city’s efforts, Owens assigned a “C‑”, acknowledging that while progress is being made, the pace falls short of the community’s expectations.
County Executive Highlights $24 Million Investment
County Executive Ryan McMahon highlighted a broader investment strategy, noting that $24 million has been directed toward lead‑prevention initiatives since 2022. Those funds support a range of activities, including:
- Testing and early detection of lead exposure in children
- Home inspections and remediation programs
- Community outreach and education about lead risks
McMahon gave himself a “B+” for the county’s overall lead‑prevention measures, citing the financial commitment and the expansion of testing and remediation services.
Independent Review Assigns Failing Grades
In February, the New York Civil Liberties Union released a report that graded both Syracuse and Onondaga County with an “F”. The organization argued that the jurisdictions are “failing with their legal and ethical obligations to provide residents safe water.” The NYCLU’s assessment underscores the urgency of completing line replacements and ensuring consistent testing across all neighborhoods.
What Residents Can Do
Both city and county officials encourage homeowners to participate in testing programs and to stay informed about replacement schedules. Residents can request free lead‑testing kits through the county health department and can sign up for notifications when replacement crews are scheduled in their area.
Community groups, such as the LeadSafe CNY Coalition, are also mobilizing volunteers to spread awareness and to assist families in navigating the testing process. Their efforts align with the CDC’s National Lead Prevention Week campaign, which aims to educate the public about the dangers of lead exposure and the steps needed to eliminate it.
Looking Ahead
Mayor Owens and County Executive McMahon both indicated that additional funding and stronger coordination with state agencies will be pursued to meet the goal of removing all lead service lines within the next several years. While the self‑assigned grades reflect optimism about recent investments, the stark contrast with the NYCLU’s “F” rating highlights the work still required to safeguard the health of Onondaga’s children and families.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
