Syracuse meets EPA’s lead water regulations for 4th consecutive term
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The city of Syracuse met the United States Environmental and Protection Agency’s regulations for lead in water for the fourth consecutive term, after being deemed one of the worst in the country years prior, according to the Syracuse Water Department.
From January to July 2026, over 100 Syracuse residents with lead service lines received test kits from a third-party contractor to collect water samples from their sinks and mail them directly to an independent laboratory. The samples concluded the liquid contained six parts per billion of lead, falling under the EPA’s required maximum of 15 ppb.
In 2024, the National Resources Defense Council concluded that Syracuse had a 70 ppb level, more than double that of Flint, Michigan’s water crisis.
In addition to testing the water, the city also launched a new “Lead Pipe Construction Dashboard” outlining upcoming service to current pipes and lines being replaced. Syracuse will also continue treating all drinking water with orthophosphate, an additive approved by the FDA that reduces lead in water by coating pipelines with the chemical.
“These updates demonstrate our ongoing commitment to meeting and exceeding federal standards,” Robert Brandt, the commissioner of water, said in the release. “We will continue to invest in data-driven tools and proactive monitoring to ensure residents have clear, reliable information about their water quality.”
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The National Resources Defense Council drafted a letter calling on city and state leaders to address high rates of lead-contaminated water.
The website reflects the city’s “commitment to modernizing infrastructure and ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for all residents,” according to the department. The site also features an interactive map showing where active service is taking place.
The city has faced scrutiny over lead poisoning in recent years, with families of those harmed filing a July 2025 legal petition urging the EPA to declare a state of emergency in Syracuse.
When the EPA mandated all U.S. cities to identify and replace all lead pipes within 10 years during former President Joe Biden’s administration, the city exceeded federal funding to fix its pipes, according to a 2024 notice.
There are no pipelines on Syracuse University’s campus scheduled to be replaced, according to the city’s map. Most lines are confirmed to be “non-lead” or unknown.
