New York to identify, replace lead water service lines statewide with $129 million EPA investment

(UI) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $129.2 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help New York identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water.

Working collaboratively, EPA and the State Revolving Funds are advancing the President’s Justice40 Initiative as lead exposure disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income families. The total funding announced through this program to date is expected to replace up to 1.7 million lead pipes nationwide, securing clean drinking water for countless families. 

“Every New Yorker deserves safe drinking water when they turn on their tap and this major injection of funding will further bolster the work to achieve that goal,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “For too long, the urgent need to improve our drinking water systems has far outweighed the available funding. This crucial Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is helping close that gap.”

“Access to safe, reliable drinking water should be a fundamental right, yet far too many New Yorkers are still drinking water from dangerous lead pipes,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “This $129 million in dedicated funding to address lead service lines is monumental for New York and will help improve public health across the state by replacing dangerous lead pipes to ensure lead-free water is flowing into New York communities.”

"Get the lead out! We must use these funds to remove the remaining lead pipes in Northeast Queens and throughout America. Any amount of lead exposure in drinking water is dangerous and unacceptable, especially for children. Let's work together to create a safer, healthier future for all," said U.S. representative Tom Suozzi (NY-03).  

“Replacing lead pipes across New York City and State is critical to protecting our communities, particularly as recent reports suggest roughly 21% of New York City residents may be drinking from lead-contaminated pipes, putting themselves at risk for a number of adverse health effects,” said U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). 

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $15 billion to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49% of funds provided through the DWSRF General Supplemental Funding and DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding must be provided as grants and forgivable loans to disadvantaged communities.

EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. 

The funding will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help New York fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.

This Lead Service Line-specific formula allows states to receive financial assistance commensurate with their need as soon as possible, furthering public health protection nationwide. To ensure that funding is used for lead service line related activities, LSLR allotments are based on need — meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more.

 

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