(WNY News Now) – New York – New York commits nearly $90 million in grants to replace lead service lines, improving water safety in underserved communities.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $90 million in State grants awarded to communities across New York State to improve their drinking water infrastructure by identifying and replacing lead service lines. This funding demonstrates the State’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and drinking water for New Yorkers.
“When it comes to New York’s water infrastructure, we’re getting the lead out,” Governor Hochul said. “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority – and by giving communities the support needed to replace lead service lines, we’re helping to safeguard public drinking water for generations to come.”
Lead is harmful to human health and can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986.
The State funding awarded today will be used by municipalities to help cover the costs of lead service line replacement projects that received financing through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) but whose costs were not fully covered by BIL grants. This funding comes in addition to the funding already allocated through the BIL and the State’s Water Infrastructure grant program. This unprecedented move takes the fiscal pressure off communities, allowing them to replace more lead service lines without incurring additional costs. The State’s comprehensive approach continues to provide communities with the resources they need to improve their water infrastructure.
The State funding awarded today is also specifically targeted for historically disadvantaged communities. The awards prioritize communities that meet one or more of the following criteria:
The community’s median household income is less than 80 percent of the regionally adjusted statewide median household income
The community’s local poverty rate is higher than the statewide poverty rate
At least 50 percent of the community’s lead service line project serves an environmental justice community
A list of communities receiving these awards can be found below:
New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens), $28,000,000
City of Rochester, $28,000,000
City of Syracuse, $12,756,047
Village of Herkimer, $3,962,616
City of Albany, $3,859,328
City of Troy, $3,846,900
Gloversville Water Works, $2,310,445
Village of Ilion, $1,221,477
Village of Ogdensburg, $688,300
Village of Bath, $468,300
Village of Catskill, $106,545
Additionally, the New York State Department of Health is using $1 million from BIL funds to provide engineering and technical assistance for lead service line identification to 10 communities. The state contracted with engineering firms to provide assistance including inventory planning, records review, public outreach and other support. The communities receiving this assistance include:
Clayton
Diana
Lake Luzerne
New Berlin
Sackets Harbor
Kinderhook
Millerton
New Paltz
Ravena
Rutland
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “This additional state funding represents the continued commitment of Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Health to safeguard the drinking water of all New Yorkers by eliminating lead pipes in water delivery lines. Access to safe and clean water is fundamental to good health, and New York is committed to removing health disparities by targeted funding for underserved communities so that we may all be afforded that same right.”
Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Getting the lead out of our drinking water supply is a priority for New York State. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, EFC and our partners in federal, state, and local government are working to ensure that communities across New York receive the financial support they need to undertake critical lead service replacement projects without overburdening local ratepayers.”
New York State’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program has invested $30 million to identify and replace lead service lines across the State. To date, $22 million has been spent through the program replacing 3,439 lead service lines in New York.
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