Elevated Lead Levels Found In Drinking Water In Capital Region

Officials are warning of elevated levels of lead that were found in drinking water in the region.

The city of Troy is warning of elevated levels of lead that were found in drinking water in homes and buildings.
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01/30/2023 4:20 p.m.

In Rensselaer County, the City of Troy revealed that quality monitoring conducted by the Troy Public Utilities department found elevated lead levels in some of the 60 homes and buildings tested throughout the city.

“Even though the source of water for the city is free of lead, the test samples taken from inside representative residential homes show an exceedance of lead possibly due to lead water service lines or interior lead plumbing,” reads a city statement posted Monday, Jan. 30.

City officials said they were committed to removing all lead service lines from the community. They asked those living in homes built prior to 1975, and who have not had a water service inspection, to contact the Department of Public Utilities at 518-237-0343.

Residents will not be charged for a technician to inspect their home, according to the statement.

The City of Troy said it will be mailing out postcards with additional information and instructions.

Members of the City Council’s Public Utilities Committee will also meet to set spending parameters for funding made available to assist residents who need to replace lead service pipes.

Lead is a common metal found in the environment and can cause serious health problems if too much enters the body, especially for pregnant women and children six years and younger, according to health officials.

The City of Troy outlined several steps residents can take to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, including:

Run water for 15 to 30 seconds, or until it becomes cold, before using it for drinking or cooking if it hasn’t been used for several hours
Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap as lead dissolves more easily into hot water
Do not boil water to remove lead as doing so will not reduce lead
Replace plumbing fixtures - including faucets, fittings, and valves - if they are found to contain lead

More information on reducing lead exposure and the health effects of lead can be found on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website.

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