Mayor Adams Expands Free Program to Replace Private Lead Water Lines in Low-Income Neighborhoods

October 9, 2024

Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ5BwaibyOI

$48 Million Program Will Help Property Owners in Low-Income Neighborhoods Save $10,000 or More on Replacement Costs New York City's Water Continues to Meet, Exceed All Safety Standards

New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today expanded a free program to replace privately-owned water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel at eligible properties in the Bronx and Queens. The program is focused on homeowners who live in environmental justice communities with high concentrations of lead service lines and a median household income of less than $47,600. The work is being done thanks to a total of $48 million in grants and interest-free loans funded in part by the Biden-Harris administration's federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which earmarked $15 billion to be used nationally for lead service line replacements, and in part by New York Governor Kathy Hochul's state loan forgiveness program.

"New York City's drinking water continues to be safe, clean, and delicious," said Mayor Adams. "With this expanded program, we're helping thousands of homeowners in low-income neighborhoods afford important infrastructure work that will do even more to prevent lead exposure. And outside of this program, we will continue to test, filter, and treat our water supply to keep all New Yorkers safe and well-hydrated."

"New York has some of the best, safest, cleanest water in the world. Now, thanks to a $48 million grant from the Biden-Harris administration and our Federal Infrastructure Funding task force's ongoing work, thousands of homeowners in lower-income areas who need to replace individual old lead lines can do so – and cost will not be an obstacle." said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "This program represents the very best of government collaboration in service of our city. Thank you to everyone who made it happen."

"In recent years, we've made strides in reducing lead exposure levels in a variety of settings across the city, and today's announcement adds to that effort," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. "Through a homeowner grant program, we're providing a path by which important privately-owned infrastructure can be updated, especially for those families and communities most in need of support. Thank you to the interagency teams making this work happen as we work as an administration to keep our communities safe, healthy, and thriving."

"There is no more important mission than keeping New Yorkers and our water supply safe," said New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner and New York City Chief Climate Officer Rohit T. Aggarwala. "Our water is lead free, but lead in homeowners' pipes and service lines can introduce lead into drinking water. We're pleased to make use of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's funding to help New Yorkers by replacing their lead service lines, and we are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, Congress, the EPA, and New York state for making this funding available."

"New York City tap water is the healthiest, lowest-cost beverage around," said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Ashwin Vasan. "Replacing outdated private water service lines will ensure New Yorkers continue to have access to the very best possible tap water now, and for years to come."

"Eliminating lead service lines is a critical health issue for our children's development, and DDC is very pleased to help as part of its water main replacement program for DEP," said New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley. "The pilot projects that we're beginning soon should replace approximately 280 lead service lines, though we may find more once we excavate the street. Doing this work while the street is already being worked on for water main replacement is a very efficient method that will save homeowners time and money."

"Our commitment to a lead-free New York City means ensuring that no New Yorker is left vulnerable to lead contamination," said Mayor's Office of Risk Management and Compliance Director and Citywide Lead Compliance Officer Jean-Claude LeBec. "While our water remains safe and delicious, this initiative is a vital investment in ensuring that the city's communities in need receive the infrastructure improvements they deserve. Eliminating lead poisoning for all New Yorkers requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and we are grateful to our federal partners for providing the city with another powerful tool to eliminate lead risks in our most vulnerable communities."

"Lead in drinking water irreparably harms the health of children and disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color," said United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia.  "The city's work to help families replace lead pipes goes hand in hand with EPA's new rule that will help protect millions of children from exposure to harmful lead in drinking water."

"Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York state has made historic investments to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, which poses a clear threat to public health," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "Most recently, New York state provided New York City with $28 million that will help support these projects announced today and replace lead service lines in historically underserved neighborhoods. We look forward to working with the city of New York, along with our federal, state, and local partners, to protect the health of our communities by ensuring that clean drinking water is available for generations to come."

Diagram of water lines. Credit: DEP

Water service lines connect directly to the city's water mains, and property owners are responsible for the maintenance of their property's service lines. Service line replacements can typically cost more than $10,000. Eligible residents in the Bronx have already begun receiving letters in the mail with more information on how they can enroll in the program, and replacement work has already begun in the Bronx for some properties this year. Residents in Queens will start to receive letters next year. Only homeowners who are contacted by DEP may participate in the program.

The lead service line replacement program builds on a successful pilot program that DEP completed in 2022, where approximately 600 privately-owned lead service lines were replaced in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island at no cost to property owners. The city will also offer to replace privately-owned lead service lines while completing work on city-owned water mains in the street through DEP water main replacement and emergency construction projects, as well as DDC pilot projects. DDC and its contractors will begin offering free service line replacements to eligible properties in select locations this fall.

New York City's water is delivered lead-free and meets or exceeds federal and state health standards. However, any lead within privately-owned service lines and household plumbing could increase the risk of exposure to lead through drinking water. Lead can cause serious health problems, particularly for young children and pregnant women. New York City has taken extensive steps to protect the water in homes that may have lead in their plumbing. This includes using safe-to-drink additives in water that raises pH levels, reducing corrosion of household plumbing, and creating a protective film on pipes that reduces the release of metals, such as lead, from service lines and household plumbing.

"There is nothing more important than keeping New Yorkers' drinking water safe from toxic lead, and I am proud to have supported vital funds in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest federal investment solely dedicated to getting toxic lead pipes out of our communities – to protect children, public health and boost family-sustaining union jobs," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. "We know from Flint that lead pipes can be detrimental to community health, and we must move expeditiously to remove and replace these pipes. For years, I have been a staunch advocate for increased testing and elimination of lead pipes from our homes, schools, and water systems. I am proud to deliver this critical funding to supercharge these efforts and support the city's free program to ensure New Yorkers have clean and safe water."

"Ensuring lead-free clean water resources is vital to residents in my district and throughout New York City," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "I am appreciative of this latest effort by Mayor Adams and the New York City Mayor's Office to replace privately-owned lead service lines in the Bronx and surrounding areas to ensure clean water for all residents, regardless of their income."

"Eliminating lead pipes is one of the wisest investments there is. Studies find that every dollar spent to remove lead pipes produces as much as $450 in benefits from improved health, less spending on social services, and increased economic activity," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "Reduced lead pollution may cut crime by up to 20 percent. Lead can damage every organ in the body and cause aggressive behavior that leads to crime. I am proud of my work to tackle lead pollution, passing legislation authorizing municipalities to issue bonds to finance pipe replacements. Today we make even more progress with our historic $48 million in grants and interest free loans. The program targets low-income homes in Queens and the Bronx, making sure the people most affected by pollution can afford to replace pipes. Together, we will continue doing everything we can until we get the lead out for good."

"The City of New York's expansion of this critical program to replace lead water lines is a major win for the Bronx and Queens, especially for our low-income tenants and homeowners," said New York State Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia. "Lead exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly in areas like the Bronx. Studies have shown that children in the Bronx are at higher risk of elevated blood lead levels compared to other parts of the city, leading to long-term health impacts. Every family deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and this $48 million investment, backed by the Biden-Harris administration, ensures just that. This initiative will not only protect public health but also provide financial relief to those most in need, reaffirming our city's commitment to environmental justice and equity."

"Lead pipes should not be a part of our water supply, so I am thrilled this federally-funded program to replace privately-owned lead water lines will be available to so many Queens homeowners," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "I am especially pleased that this program will assist homeowners in neighborhoods that have traditionally been underinvested in. This program is another example of the Biden-Harris administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law having a real, positive impact on people's lives."