Politics & Government

Lead-Contaminated Water in Nyack

Officials offer safe drinking tips

The Nyack Water Department has found higher levels of lead than normal in some samples of the village's drinking water, and are advising residents to run their tap for 30 seconds before drinking.

Water officials said seven homes throughout the Nyacks had a lead level that exceeded state standards. "Anything below 10 percent is allowed," said Harry Williams, the water department's superintendent. "These homes had 26 percent."

Three of the affected homes are in Nyack; the others are spread across South, Central and West Nyack. The Nyack Water Department serves around 15,000 customers.

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Williams noted the contamination is not in the general water supply, but in the individual homes. "The lead leaks out of fixtures... or lead solder in pipes," he explained. Water officials are required by law to notify their customers, who will be receiving alerts over the course of the week.

Williams added that to combat the problem, residents—even in the affected homes—need only to run their water for about 30 seconds before using or drinking it. Boiling lead-contaminated water does not reduce lead.

Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This is the first time since 1992 the Nyack Water Department has had a lead problem. To remedy the situation, the department will carry out a corrosion control plan to reduce lead. Additionally, the department will sample the villages' water four times as frequently until the lead levels decrease.

Williams added that the department's lab will test individuals' homes at the customers' expense. To arrange a test, contact the Nyack Water Department at (845) 358-3734; tests run $20 each. For more information on the process, click here.


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