New York Mayor Adams announced on October 9 that $48 million will be allocated to expand the program for free replacement of lead pipes in low-income communities. This initiative is expected to assist thousands of homeowners in the Bronx and Queens, saving each person up to $10,000 in costs, while also reducing the risk of lead poisoning for children and pregnant women, ensuring that people have access to safe and clean drinking water.
The expansion of the free lead pipe replacement program will be funded by grants from the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill and interest-free loans from the state government. The $48 million allocation will help eligible low-income homeowners in the Bronx and Queens replace lead pipes in their homes. The program primarily targets homeowners with a median income below $47,600. Eligible residents in the Bronx will receive notifications from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by mail, providing detailed information on how to participate in the program. Replacement work for lead pipes in some Bronx homes has already begun. Residents in Queens will start receiving notifications from next year. Currently, only homeowners who have received notifications from the DEP are eligible to participate in the program.
New York City’s drinking water is known for being safe and clean, exceeding federal and state health standards. However, in the past, supply lines were often made of lead or lead-coated zinc, which could result in lead contamination in drinking water and lead to serious health issues, especially affecting young children and pregnant women the most. Since the maintenance of private property’s supply lines is the responsibility of property owners, the cost of replacing lead pipes often exceeds $10,000, making it unaffordable for many individuals. To address this, the DEP launched a pilot program in 2022, replacing approximately 600 lead pipes in private properties in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island for free. Building on this successful initiative, the free replacement program is now being expanded.