Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) free lead service line replacement program has saved more than 900 Bronx and Queen homeowners more than $10,000 each.
Supported by $96 million in State and Federal funding, including a recent grant of an additional $14 million from the State and $10 million from the Federal government, the program is anticipated to remove up to 7,000 lead service lines from private properties in low-income neighborhoods and neighborhoods disproportionately burdened by environmental pollution and the impacts of climate change.
"We are going door to door to make sure New Yorkers can safely bring our city's world-class drinking water from reservoirs upstate to their dining tables without having to choose between their health and a $10,000 bill," said Mayor Mamdani. "In partnership with Governor Hochul, we are replacing lead pipes with new, safe copper lines at no cost to eligible New York City homeowners."
"Ability to pay should never be an impediment to clean, safe drinking water," said Governor Hochul. "Since taking office we have made $10.6 billion available for water infrastructure projects across the state, and in the Bronx and Queens, that investment is saving eligible homeowners over $10,000. Working with Mayor Mamdani, we will continue to protect public drinking water in New York City by empowering residents to put their health first by getting the lead out cost-free."
Water service lines connect homes to the City's water mains. These lines are privately owned, meaning property owners are normally responsible for replacing them - a job that can cost homeowners more than $10,000. DEP's program replaces lead or galvanized steel service lines with new copper pipes at no cost to eligible homeowners.
DEP's records indicate there are approximately 121,100 known lead or galvanized service lines across the city.
Replacements have already been completed in the following Bronx communities: Mount Eden, Fordham Heights, University Heights, Kingsbridge Heights, Belmont and Mount Hope.
Replacements are now underway in neighborhoods across the Bronx, including Melrose, Mott Haven, Concourse Village, Eastchester, Edenwald, Baychester, Williamsbridge, Norwood, Bedford Park, Pelham Gardens, Wakefield and Allerton, as well as Flushing, Murray Hill, Queensboro Hill and East Flushing in Queens.
Work will expand to Soundview in the Bronx and Borough Park in Brooklyn beginning in 2027.
Eligible property owners receive letters directly from DEP with instructions on how to sign up for the lead service line replacement program.
"Protecting New Yorkers - especially our most vulnerable - is at the core of DEP's mission and replacing privately owned lead service lines is a top priority for DEP because lead, even in small amounts, can cause irreversible harm to young children and to people who are pregnant or may become pregnant. I urge every eligible property owner to take advantage of this free program," said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. "DEP is focused on securing the state and federal resources needed to accelerate replacements at no cost to homeowners, and I'm grateful to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for providing these critical grants."
"Governor Hochul's commitment to affordable, clean water is helping ensure communities don't have to choose between protecting their residents and the cost of replacing lead pipes," said Maureen A. Coleman, President and CEO of New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). "EFC is proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani to turn State and federal dollars into safer homes, healthier neighborhoods, and real savings for New Yorkers."
