Over the last several years, New York has launched multiple initiatives to address the issue of lead-contaminated drinking water. Among these are state-funded programs supporting the replacement of lead service lines. Read on for more information about the New York State Lead Service Line Replacement Plan, as well as other related opportunities for state funding.
Lead in NYS Drinking Water
Lead in drinking water has long been a public health issue in New York State. Lead service lines were constructed and used to deliver water to buildings and residences beginning in the 1800s. However, it was later discovered that lead can enter drinking water when pipes containing lead corrode, exposing residents to serious health risks. Although New York City banned the installation of new lead service lines in 1961, followed by a ban on the use of lead solder in household plumbing systems in 1987, many New York residences are still at risk of contaminated drinking water. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, though the plumbing in homes built after that point can still contain trace amounts of lead.
The NYS Lead Service Line Replacement Program
New York State’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program (LSLRP), created under the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, is aimed at reducing lead in drinking water. The program provides grants to municipalities to replace lead water service lines. The funds from these grants are used to replace the entire length of residential lead service lines, from the municipal water main to the residence. Municipalities do not need to apply to the program, as eligibility has been pre-determined by the NYS Department of Health. Eligibility is based on the number of children with elevated blood lead levels in the municipality, the median household income, and the number of houses built before 1939. Funds can be used to replace lead service lines for buildings other than residential structures, but priority should be given to residential properties. Each municipality selected for the program is responsible for contacting homeowners to confirm the presence of lead service lines.
How much funding is available?
$20 million was allocated to the LSLRP by the 2017 New York State budget. The program offers at least $500,000 to at least two municipalities per region (there are 10 Regional Economic Development Council regions in NYS)—except for the New York City region, which only has one municipality.
What does the funding cover?
- Service line replacement and construction costs
- Site/property restoration costs
- Engineering costs
- Legal costs
- Administrative costs
What other opportunities for funding are there?
If your municipality is not selected for the LSLRP, or if you need additional funds, two other funding programs for lead service line replacement are available.
- The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: provides low-interest financing for drinking water projects.
- State Water Grants: The Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) program and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants (IMG) program are two more state-funded programs available to municipalities for drinking water and wastewater projects.
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