Apartment complex water samples still contaminated, county says

CAIRO―Lead and copper water samples collected from The Woodlands at Cairo Apartments continue to exceed safe drinking water standards, county officials are warning.

“At this time, the source of the contamination is unknown, and the NYS Department of Health Environmental District Office is actively investigating the cause,” according to a public health advisory issued by Greene County on Friday.

It is the second such advisory that Greene County has issued regarding lead and copper in water at the Gina Marie Avenue complex since last year.

In July of 2025, county officials said ten water samples had been collected and analyzed. Results were submitted to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) that determined more than 10 percent of those samples exceeded the action level for lead and copper.

At that time, County Administrator Shaun Groden said the contamination was not new to the complex, “but the toxicity rates have increased from previous test results.”

The federal Lead and Copper Rule requires a public water system to test tap water from sites likely to have plumbing containing lead. If more than 10 percent of tap water tested exceed the lead action level of 0.015 milligrams per liter, then a public water system is required to notify residents and take steps to reduce lead levels in the public drinking water supply, according to DOH.

In New York State, a public water system is defined as any entity that provides water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances to at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 people for at least 60 days out of the year.

The Woodlands at Cairo Apartments contains around 40 units.

Greene County is advising pregnant women, children under 18 years of age and anyone with Wilson’s Disease to avoid drinking tap water from the complex and consider using bottled water.

A boil water order is not recommended at this time as it does not remove lead or copper and concentrates the metals even more, the advisory states.

The property, according to county records, has been owned since 2023 by Woodlands At Cairo, LLC with an address in New York City.

According to Friday’s advisory, “The NYS Department of Health Environmental District Office is the lead investigatory agency and is working to identify and resolve this issue as quickly and safely as possible.”

DOH did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

State health officials say 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, as can children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy. Adults can experience increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.