Syracuse manages lead levels in city water by adding phosphate to the water supply. Don said, "[This treatment] creates a coating of insoluble lead inside the surface of pipes to prevent lead from leaching into the water, as long as it stays put. If the chemistry changes in the water, lead phosphate can be released into the water. This is what happened in Flint, Michigan."
Don lives in a vibrant historic neighborhood near Syracuse University, but maps posted by the city show that the majority of homes in his neighborhood, and others with older houses, have lead pipes.
Right now, millions of families across the country are being poisoned by lead in their drinking water. Yet this year, lawmakers were poised to cancel a vital law that would make our water safer.
Thankfully, Don's water test came back with some good news; his water tested low for lead, but we know that no amount of lead is safe. He says, "The phosphate treatment is working, for the most part, but Syracuse still has high lead levels at many houses. It's been a problem at city schools as well." Syracuse is replacing its lead service lines over the next 10 years and is relying on federal money to help fund it. rule requires public water systems nationwide to identify and replace lead pipes within a decade. It also lowers the level of lead contam- ination at which they must take protective actions. The LCRI was a massive victory for water safety. But Congressional Republicans claimed that lead pipe replacements were too expensive. When the Trump administration took office, these lawmakers aimed to repeal this crucial protection using the fast-track process of the Congressional Review Act. Notably, many of these lawmakers are also pushing tax cuts for
Poisonous pipes There’s no safe level of lead in our drinking water, particularly for children, whose devel- oping bodies are especially vulnerable. Lead exposure can cause devastating health effects, including develop- mental disorders, damage to the nervous system and blood cells, heart disease, and low birth weight. Despite these known dangers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 9 million homes
across the U.S. still receive water through toxic lead service lines. Schools and daycares have also found elevated levels in their water, which is especially concerning due to lead’s specific threat to children. Poorer communities and communities of color are more likely to have lead pipes, compounding histori- cal injustices. These old and dangerous pipes must be replaced.
A win for safe water — or so we thought In October 2024, the Biden admin- istration finalized the "Lead Out of Water Rule," called Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). This game-changing
Not-So-Fun Facts • Iowa is estimated to have 100,000+ lead service lines • New York has 555,000+ • New Jersey has 527,000+ • Pennsylvania has 662,000+ Most states have thousands, even millions, of service lines whose material is a mystery.
Roll Back Lead - continue on Page 3 >
FOOD & WATER WATCH / ACTION — LIVABLE FUTURE NOW | 2
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