Important Information About City of Syracuse’s Drinking Water

September 24, 2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
SYRACUSE, CITY OF, Water System submitted the Initial Lead Service Line Inventory after October 16, 2024. This inventory identifies lead, non-lead, galvanized requiring replacement and unknown service lines between the water main and structures served by the water system.
A monitoring violation occurred because the System failed to submit the Initial Lead Service Line Inventory by the deadline date.
As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation.

What does this mean?
On January 15, 2021, the EPA promulgated the first major update to the Lead and Copper Rule, known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 141.84(a), The LCRR requires, among other things, that community and non-transient non-community water systems must develop an inventory to identify the materials of service lines connected to the public water distribution systems regardless of ownership status. The deadline for systems to submit this Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) was established as October 16, 2024.
Health effects of lead: Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or worsen existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these negative health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney, or nervous system problems.

 What should I do?

1. Use A Water Filter
Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has been expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter that you use for drinking or cooking.

2. Clean Your Aerator
Regularly clean your faucet’s screen. Sediment debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water. Turn on full flow to let water run after cleaning. After replacing the clean aerator turn on full flow to let water run to flush loose particles after cleaning before drinking.

3. Use Cold Water
Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.

4. Run Your Water
If your water has been sitting in the pipes more than 18 hours, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, let the water run for at least 30 seconds or until the temperature changes.

5. If you’re concerned about construction disturbing your service lines. Contact your water system to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service lines. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line or galvanized service line if lead is present.

6. If you want your water tested
Contact your water system to learn about your options with having your water tested for lead.

7. Get your child tested to determine lead levels in their blood.
A family doctor, or pediatrician can perform a childhood blood lead level test and provide information about the health effects of lead. KDHE can also provide information about how you can have your child’s blood tested for lead.

8. Replacing lead service lines or galvanized requiring replacement service lines.
If you replace your service lines, make sure to use filters for 6 months after service line replacement. For questions on filters, contact your water system.

What is being done?
The water system addressed the monitoring violation for late submission by immediately submitting the overdue reports and implementing new procedures to prevent future occurrences. These procedures included establishing internal deadlines with reminders, utilizing electronic submission methods for faster delivery, and assigning a dedicated staff member to oversee timely monitoring and reporting. Additionally, the system communicated with the regulatory agency to demonstrate their commitment to compliance and ensure all necessary steps were taken to resolve the violation.

For more information, please contact:
BRIAN BLOYD at Phone: 620-384-7818
Or by Mail: 109 N MAIN, 
PO BOX 148, SYRACUSE, KS 67878-0148

This notice is being sent to you by:
SYRACUSE, CITY OF Federal ID#: KS2007502
Date distributed: 9/25/2025