Onondaga County and City of Syracuse Announce Preliminary Details of Free Water Filter Distribution Plan

SYRACUSE, NY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024 –  Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse are partnering to provide water filters free of charge to City of Syracuse households with pregnant women and children aged six and under routinely present. This initiative addresses concerns about the potential presence of lead in drinking water in some Syracuse homes due to lead service lines.

Filters will first become available to Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participants and qualifying residents during the Salvation Army Christmas Bureau Registration Days. More details will be announced about a partnership with the Syracuse City School District to distribute to all eligible households with children in pre-k programs through first grade beginning in December. Additional distributions will be made to child daycares, charter schools, and other caregivers who serve young children and infants.

“Providing safe and reliable drinking water is a top priority for both the County and the City,” said Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County Executive. “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 emphasized the City’s commitment to addressing the 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.”

Who is Eligible?
City of Syracuse households with children aged six and under who live there or visit often; pregnant residents; and/or other at-risk individuals.

What is Provided?
The program will provide a Brita Elite brand NSF-certified water filter and pitcher capable of removing lead, along with instructions for proper use and installation. One per eligible household.

How to Obtain a Filter?
Eligible residents can begin picking up water filters at the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Gifford Street location and Salvation Army Christmas Bureau Registration Days:

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program | 307 Gifford St, Syracuse, NY 13204

  • Monday, November 25: 12:00pm–7:00pm
  • Tuesday, November 26: 9:00am–5:00pm
  • Wednesday, November 27: 7:30am–12:00pm

Salvation Army Christmas Bureau Registration Days

  • Huntington Family Center | 405 Gifford St, Syracuse
    Monday, December 2, 10am-4pm
  • Refugee Assistance Program (Bob’s School) | 516 Prospect Ave, Syracuse
    Tuesday, December 3, 12pm-4pm
  • The Oncenter | 800 S. State Street, Syracuse
    Monday, December 9, 10am-4pm
    Tuesday December 10, 12pm-6pm
    Wednesday, December 11, 10am-4pm

“Protecting public health is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Kathryn Anderson, Onondaga County Health Commissioner. “Water filters are an effective tool for immediately reducing potential lead exposures from service lines. Another simple step residents can take is to let the tap run for one minute in the morning before using the water for drinking or cooking. Running the tap flushes the pipes and helps to reduce the amount of lead that may be in the water after sitting in the pipes overnight.”

For more information about the City of Syracuse water initiatives, visit https://www.syr.gov/Departments/Water/Lead-Free-Syracuse.

Contact:
Onondaga County: HealthMedia@ongov.net
City of Syracuse: press@syr.gov