Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that New York State will allocate nearly $90 million in grants to help communities replace lead service lines and improve drinking water infrastructure, with a focus on historically underserved areas.
“When it comes to New York’s water infrastructure, we’re getting the lead out,” 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 exposure poses significant health risks, especially for children, and can contaminate drinking water through corroded pipes, faucets, and fixtures. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes connecting them to the water main, making them the most significant source of lead in residential water.
The state funding will assist municipalities in covering costs for lead service line replacement projects that received financing through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) but were not fully funded by federal grants. This move aims to alleviate financial pressure on communities, allowing them to replace more lead pipes without incurring additional expenses.
The grants specifically target disadvantaged communities meeting criteria such as having a median household income less than 80% of the regionally adjusted statewide median, higher local poverty rates than the state average, or projects serving at least 50% of an environmental justice community.
The communities receiving funding include:
- New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens): $28 million
- City of Rochester: $28 million
- City of Syracuse: $12.76 million
- Village of Herkimer: $3.96 million
- City of Albany: $3.86 million
- City of Troy: $3.85 million
- Gloversville Water Works: $2.31 million
- Village of Ilion: $1.22 million
- Village of Ogdensburg: $688,300
- Village of Bath: $468,300
- Village of Catskill: $106,545
In addition to the grants, the New York State Department of Health is utilizing $1 million from BIL funds to provide engineering and technical assistance for lead service line identification in 10 communities, including Clayton, Diana, Lake Luzerne, and New Paltz.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized the importance of the initiative. “Access to safe and clean water is fundamental to good health,” he said. “New York is committed to removing health disparities by targeting funding for underserved communities so that we may all be afforded that same right.”
Lead in drinking water can lead to serious health issues, including developmental delays in children and cardiovascular problems in adults. The most common sources are lead pipes and fixtures, which can corrode over time, especially in water with high acidity or low mineral content.
Maureen A. Coleman, president and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation, highlighted the collaborative effort. “Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, we’re 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,” she said.
Federal support through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion nationwide to identify and replace lead service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are around 9 million lead service lines across the country.
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia applauded the state’s efforts. “Every New Yorker deserves lead-free water when they turn on their tap, and this major injection of funding in New York is bolstering the work to replace lead service lines and make drinking water safer across the state,” she said.
Local leaders also expressed gratitude for the funding:
- Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh: “With New York State’s help, Syracuse is proactively completing lead water service replacements at an aggressive pace. This additional $12.7 million will enable us to eliminate lead services at more than 3,000 additional homes in the city.”
- Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan: “Additional funds from the state will be instrumental in ensuring this work continues and we bring clean, safe drinking water to our residents.”
- Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans: “These funds will ensure that the city can offer free replacement of lead and galvanized steel service lines from the street to individual homes, allowing us to pursue an aggressive timeline to provide the safest drinking water to every resident, regardless of their ZIP code.”
Environmental advocates praised the initiative as a significant step toward environmental justice. Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, called the loan forgiveness program “a big win” and commended the governor’s commitment to public health.
The funding complements New York’s ongoing investments in water infrastructure, including over $2.2 billion in financial assistance for local projects in the current fiscal year. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY25 enacted budget, the state has invested a total of $5.5 billion in water infrastructure since 2017.
Governor Hochul emphasized the state’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water for all residents. “By targeting resources where they’re needed most, we’re taking a significant step toward eliminating lead exposure and protecting the health of our communities,” she said.
Communities affected by lead service lines are encouraged to contact the Environmental Facilities Corporation for assistance in addressing their water infrastructure needs.
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