Community groups in Syracuse, N.Y., are asking city officials to declare a state of emergency over elevated levels of lead in the city's tap water, which in some households was found to be more than double that found in Flint, Mich., during its drinking water crisis. 

The city contends that an emergency declaration is unwarranted because it has already secured $22.8 million in state funding to replace more than 3,000 lead service lines within the next year. Its water department has increased the number and pace of lead service line replacements in recent years and will continue to do so until all lead pipes are replaced, says Greg Loh, city chief policy officer, adding that affected residents were notified and a public media briefing announced the findings,

In an Oct. 16 letter, a coalition of 12 medical providers, residents and national groups urged state and local officials to declare a state of emergency based on lead levels found during routine sampling in July that far exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current actionable level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). About 10% of homes sampled in July showed a level of 70 ppb. An emergency declaration would give the city access to federal funds to help address the problem.

“We believe much more should be done immediately to make the public aware of the severity of lead-contaminated drinking water in Syracuse and to effectively respond comprehensively to the crisis,” the groups wrote. 

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, which along with Earthjustice is assisting the local groups, a New York Freedom of Information Law request of the city’s test results showed that one home in 2024 had 2,520 ppb of lead, and another in 2023 had 775 ppb. More than 14,000 homes in Syracuse are believed to have lead pipes. 

In an email, Loh said those results are “outliers when compared to sampling conducted over the past 10 years.” 

He said further monitoring showed that eight properties that exceeded the limit required resampling and came back below the EPA action level. “Results from the next round of EPA’s required testing are expected soon and will guide the next actions,” Loh said, adding that the city is taking action in coordination with the state and the Onondaga County Health Dept. and following EPA requirements. 

Erik Olson, NRDC senior strategic director for health, environmental health, says the non-profit has filed another state Freedom of Information Law request to better understand how the city is conducting its monitoring. “We’re a little skeptical about how the number could come down from 70 ppb, a seven-fold decrease, in a matter of months,” he said. “We do know that the numbers are extremely high in Syracuse,” he said.

Groups Seek Immediate and Swift Action

The groups have also requested that the city fully inform and educate local residents about the dangers that lead poses in drinking water, and for the short-term, immediately provide free lead filters for all vulnerable residents, not just children, who are most at risk. 

Oceanna Fair, South Side branch leader for one Syracuse group, Families for Lead Freedom Now, says that despite being an older resident in a home that not only has lead paint, but also lead water service lines, she is not currently eligible to receive free lead filters, even though her granddaughter spends considerable time in her home.

“We need urgent action to get the word out, provide water filters immediately to the most vulnerable families, and protect our children from lead, wherever it is found,” she said.

The groups have also asked that the city cover all costs to replace service lines for people who otherwise can't afford to pay for their portion of the replacements.

Syracuse has one of the highest child poverty rates in the nation among large cities, according to current U.S. Census Bureau data.