Elevated lead levels found in two thousand homes in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The city of Amsterdam continues to work to mitigate high lead levels in drinking water. Amsterdam officials issued the public service announcement on September 16 warning of the elevated levels. According to Zach Bagster, plant manager of the Amsterdam Water Plants, they have currently identified around two thousand affected homes. 

“We’re actively trying to identify where all of those locations are” Bagster explained. “The only place for the lead to get into the drinking water at these levels would be the service line that goes from the main into the home.”

According to city water officials, the lead comes from the service lines in older homes, not the main lines distributing the water. Yet, it can also come from water fixtures in your home, so make sure to check your appliances. They say no matter the age of your home, it’s important to test regularly for lead levels, and they provide services to help. 

“We have an online survey, the homeowners can do it themselves” Bagster stated. “They have to submit a picture. So we recommend using a tablet or smartphone. If they are okay with us coming in, we will also come out and do our own inspection.”

They also have grant funding available to help low to moderate income families afford solutions.

“We do have a grant opportunity to replace the lead service from the main all the way into the house” Bagster said. “It’s for low to moderate income individuals. So there is an income survey that needs to be done.”

That funding can be requested through the Community and Economic Development team in Amsterdam City Hall. Officials say that if you believe you may have lead in your water, there are steps you should take to remain safe.

• Run the water for several minutes before consuming it, bathing, or doing dishes.
• Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula
• Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap because lead dissolves easier in hot water.
• Replace plumbing fixtures if they contain lead
• Use bottled water, or a water filter

Prolonged lead ingestion can lead to dangerous health complications, such as increased blood pressure, kidney damage, and more. 

“Obviously you don’t want to have a high lead level, if you are an at risk group, you know, elderly, have health complications, or young children, you can go to your doctor and get tested for your lead level” Bagster noted.

Officials in Amsterdam are still working to determine how many homes total have been affected by high lead levels. They say it’s important to test if you haven’t already, because you won’t be able to determine a problem from taste, smell, or color of the water.

If you have any questions, reach out to the City Engineer’s Office by calling (518)843-3009 or the Montgomery County Public Health Department by calling (518)853-3531.