OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWNY) – Gerald Caryl has called Ogdensburg home for 50 years and has never worried about lead poisoning.
“I raised four to five children here. They seem to be doing well,” Caryl said.
But Ogdensburg wants to know where lead pipes might be located.
It is an attempt to improve drinking water quality nationwide. The city will receive more than $680,000 in state funding to help replace major utility lines. These are pipelines that connect municipal water pipes with household pipes.
“Lead is probably the worst of all options because lead and lead poisoning is a challenge and a health concern,” said Ogdensburg City Manager Fonda Chronis.
The state announcement said homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes. Lead pipes are one of the most common causes of lead in water.
In high doses it can be fatal.
Chronis says the grant money will be used to identify the lead pipes.
“You can’t contain lead if you don’t know where it is. This is the first step in figuring out where the clues lie and then helps us determine the extent of the problem and next steps to mitigate the problem,” Chronis said.
The survey has begun. Letters were sent to residents asking property owners to conduct scratch testing. This helps identify the material pipes are made of.
After identifying problem areas, Chronis said it will seek additional funding so the city can continue its lead pipe removal efforts.
Holding water the way Caryl sees it. “You see that? Nice and clear.”
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