Report: Elevated Lead Levels Found In New York, Connecticut Water Systems
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An Associated Press review of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data shows 82 out of 2,800 public and private drinking water systems in New York state have had lead levels exceeding the federal action limit at least once since 2013.
That includes 16 schools or day care systems that have their own water supplies.
New York has about 4,800 public and 2,100 private schools, but most don't have to test their water because it comes from municipal systems. Some state lawmakers are seeking to change that.
Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton's district includes several schools with lead problems. The Democrat introduced a bill last month requiring local water districts to test for lead at all schools and day cares every three years. It would require parental notification if elevated lead levels are found.
The same study showed dozens of water systems in Connecticut have exceeded federal lead levels at least once since January 2013.
The review determined 39 of 1,082 water systems in Connecticut had tested over the limit. Those systems serve schools, office parks, a state office, and apartment and condominium complexes across state.
Nationally, the data show nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.7 million Americans violated the standard at least once over that time period.
Connecticut's Department of Public Health was unfamiliar with the AP's findings, but confirmed 14 systems across the state are currently not in compliance with the federal lead and copper rule. The agency says it is working with those systems.
The agency is asking federal officials for additional funding to help with monitoring.
New Jersey had also dealt with a growing lead crisis after the Newark School District turned off water at 30 schools last week after test results revealed unsafe lead levels. Blood tests were offered to 17,000 students at those schools for lead.
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