FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3, 2024

Kingston Water Department Issues Federally Mandated Lead Service Notifications

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble wishes to inform the public that the Kingston Water Department has issued Federally-mandated notifications to homeowners in the City of Kingston whose privately-owned water service lines may contain lead.

As part of this mandatory process, the Kingston Water Department has identified possible lead service lines to private property, and is complying with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead & Copper Rule Improvements to provide this information to homeowners. The Federal law states that all lead lines must be replaced in the next 10 years.

If the service line composition is unknown to the Kingston Water Department, those homeowners were also issued letters. Notification letters for lead service lines were sent to 2,711 households, and unknown letters were sent to 2,056 households. A map of the notified properties can be found here.

“We know that these letters can be alarming, and we want to reassure residents that precautions can be taken to keep your family’s drinking water safe, like flushing your water in the morning before drinking. There are no City-owned water distribution lines with lead and lead doesn’t leach into the water unless it’s been sitting for a long period, like overnight,” said Mayor Noble. “We are hopeful that State and Federal funds will be available for homeowners to access to help with this lead line replacement. If you are concerned about lead levels in your water, we recommend contacting an accredited lab that can conduct testing.”

A service line is the pipe connecting the water main to the building inlet. In the City of Kingston, the property owner owns the entire length of a service line. When any section of the service line is made of lead, it is deemed a lead service line.

Matthew Dysard, Superintendent of the Kingston Water Department said, “It has been incredibly difficult for our staff to put this inventory together and the Department is continuing to work to improve the accuracy of the inventory. We appreciate any information that property owners can provide to assist in that effort. We are already seeing customers reach out with information that is reducing the number of unknown services, and in some cases, lead lines that have been replaced so that our records can now reflect the change.”

Kingston Water Department tips for households with lead lines:

• Using a certified filter can reduce lead in drinking water. Read directions to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Expired cartridges can make it less effective. Do not run hot water through the filter.
• Regularly remove and clean faucets’ screens (also known as aerators). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. 
• 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 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 whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home.
• Learn what your service line material is. Contact the Kingston Water Department at 845-331-0175 or a licensed plumber to determine if the pipe that connects your home to the water main is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials.
• Have your water tested. The Kingston Water Department encourages residents to use an Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) accredited lab for lead testing, and can recommend Pace Analytical, located at 315 Fullerton Avenue in Newburgh. The Pace Analytical lab can be reached at 845-562-0890.

The NYS Department of Health Department has for more information and resources at: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/

If those who received an ‘unknown’ letter have records, please contact the Kingston Water Department and provide documentation to [email protected]. Photos of your service line can also be sent to [email protected] and KWD will help determine whether the pipe is made of lead.