Amsterdam Residents Warned of Lead in Water Supply
Postcards have been mailed to Amsterdam residents who are hooked into the City’s water supply, warning that the level of lead in most water lines is almost double where it should be.
City Officials Address Concerns
According to Mayor Michael Cinquanti, the truth is that there is no lead in the water supply at the reservoir or after it leaves the water treatment plant. The lead gets into the water at the supply line level at each house that has an old lead supply line.
Resident Shares Concerns
Jasmine Ortiz, an Amsterdam resident, received one of the warning postcards and shared her concerns. “The lead kind of killed my axolotl tank. I had a very expensive tank going on; killed every single last one of them and I think this recent one has been affecting my health because I have a heart monitor on.”
State and Local Efforts to Address Lead Issues
Just last month, Governor Hochul announced $90 million in grants to replace lead service lines. Cities like Troy and Albany are on the list to receive funding. “The Albany Water Board has actually given over a million dollars in reimbursable grant funds to our homeowners to get their lead service pipes removed,” said Joe Coffey, Albany Water Commissioner.
Amsterdam, however, has not received funding yet. “We’ve applied for a $1 million CFA grant which will be announced sometime in November and that’s specifically to help us replace lead lines,” explained Mayor Cinquanti.
Number of Homes Affected and Replacement Costs
Mayor Cinquanti estimates that between 1,500 and 1,700 homes have lead lines. It could cost the City five to ten thousand dollars to replace each one. So far, 50 have been replaced.
Getting Your Water Line Tested
If you would like to get your water line tested, call Amsterdam Water Treatment at (518) 843-3009. The EPA is requiring every water utility across the country to inventory its water service lines by October 16, 2024.
Conclusion
The city of Amsterdam is taking steps to address the issue of lead in its water supply, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of its residents. With the help of state and local funding, the city hopes to replace lead lines and provide safe drinking water to its citizens.
FAQs
Q: What is the issue with lead in Amsterdam’s water supply?
A: The level of lead in most water lines is almost double where it should be, according to warning postcards sent to residents.
Q: What is the City of Amsterdam doing to address the issue?
A: The city has applied for a $1 million CFA grant to help replace lead lines and is working to inventory its water service lines.
Q: How many homes have lead lines in Amsterdam?
A: Mayor Cinquanti estimates that between 1,500 and 1,700 homes have lead lines.
Q: How can I get my water line tested?
A: You can call Amsterdam Water Treatment at (518) 843-3009 to schedule a test.
