Following the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, the EPA chose to audit water systems in a number of American cities, including Amsterdam.

"They found that some of the samples were not being taken at 'Tier One' homes, which would be considered the most likely to have an issue with lead,” said Randy Gardinier, Amsterdam Water Treatment Facility chief plant officer.

Since then, the city has conducted routine samples at 60 of its oldest homes that have either decades old lead plumbing or service lines. The latest tests done in September found nine homes with higher than acceptable lead levels based on EPA standards. 

"The 90th percentile sample was 21 ppb (parts per billion), so that was six ppb over the action level of 15 ppb. That is like one penny out of $10 million, would be the same thing as one parts per billion,” Gardinier said. 

Gardinier, who has worked at the city's water treatment facility for 28 years, says this is cause for concern.

"We are in violation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s lead and copper rule," Gardinier said. 

Despite those results, he says residents should not be afraid to drink Amsterdam's municipal water. While lead poisoning can cause a litany of health problems, Gardinier says there are no detectable levels in the water exiting the treatment plant. 

“Where the lead comes from in people’s homes at their taps, is either from the plumbing within their homes or in the service line from the water main out in the street to the home itself,” Gardinier said.

City leaders have explored applying for state grants that would help homeowners upgrade the plumbing in older homes, but Gardinier says that could be costly. 

A post card sent to residents earlier this week provided tips on how to reduce risk, as well as how to receive a free lead test from the state. One of many local cities with aging buildings, Gardinier recommends any concerned homeowners call their local water provider.