CNN reports that Syracuse officials insist drinking water is clean as residents call for a state of emergency. Residents and advocates in Syracuse began questioning the water quality at their homes in August, when the city’s water department said it found elevated lead levels at some homes during routine checks. City officials have since said testing problems led to faulty results and reassured residents the water is safe, but some remain skeptical.
The situation in Syracuse recalls the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, where in 2014 officials began to use the Flint River as a water source but did not treat the water properly with anti-corrosive agent, causing lead from old pipes and other toxins to leach into the water supply.
