Where does OCWA’s water come from?

  • OCWA customers get their water from one of three water sources: Lake Ontario, Otisco Lake, or Skaneateles Lake.

How does lead get into my drinking water?

  • OCWA’s source waters contain no detectable amount of lead, and lead is almost never present when water flows from the treatment facility, nor is it present in the water mains running beneath the streets. However, in some older homes lead may be present in the pipe connecting the home to the water system – known as a service line — or in the home plumbing. Lead in service pipes, plumbing or fixtures can dissolve, or particles can break off into water and end up at the tap. This is why it is so important to identify the construction material of your water service pipes.

Does OCWA take any action to treat the water from the sources to minimize the leaching of lead?

  • All three of OCWA’s source waters are treated to minimize the leaching of lead from piping and fixtures. Water from Otisco and Skaneateles Lakes has a corrosion inhibiter, orthophosphate, added to minimize lead from leaching. Lake Ontario water is treated with caustic soda which also controls the ability of lead to leach from pipes.

How do I know if I have lead in my water?

  • Since lead cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted in your water, testing at the tap is the only way to accurately measure lead levels. If your water service line is verified by OCWA to be constructed of lead or of galvanized material that requires replacement, OCWA will test to check your tap water for lead. Alternatively, you can contact a certified laboratory. Testing may cost from $20 to $100 per tap. A list of certified laboratories can be found at https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubdoh/applinks/wc/elappublicweb/. Be sure to select one approved for potable water. Please visit the following link for more information on how to identify your water service line material: 804173-OCWA-Lead-Copper-Rule-Insert-06-21-23-Final-v2.pdf

If I suspect there is lead in my water, what should I do?

There are multiple steps you can take to reduce lead in drinking water.

  • Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
  • 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.
  • Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in service line pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home or building.
  • Use Point of Use Lead Removing Filters. Using a certified filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/home-drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead to access consumer resources regarding the use of filters and the identification of properly certified filters.
  • Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact us at 315-455-7061 ext. 3139 to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.
  • Have your water tested. If your water service line is verified by OCWA to be constructed of lead or of galvanized material that requires replacement, OCWA will test to check your tap water for lead. Alternatively, you can contact a certified laboratory. Testing may cost from $20 to $100 per tap. A list of certified laboratories can be found at https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubdoh/applinks/wc/elappublicweb/.

Why should I care if there is lead in my water?

  • 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 exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Please visit Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA for more information on the negative effects of consuming lead and why it is so important to take all preventative measures possible.

How do I inform OCWA about the material of my service line?

Does OCWA test for lead in its water?

  • Yes, OCWA tests its source waters regularly for lead as part of its more than 20,500 water quality tests performed each year. In addition, OCWA utilizes independent laboratories for additional testing to ensure our drinking water quality complies with or surpasses state and federal drinking water standards. The testing of OCWA water has resulted in no exceedances of state or federal lead regulatory standards. Please see OCWA’s most recent Annual Water Quality Report for more information. Click here to access the report.