As Federal Mandate to Remove Lead Lines Nears, Kennedy Announces Nearly $1 Million for Erie County Water Authority to Continue its Get The Lead Out Initiative

Funding Will be Used by ECWA to Replace Lead Services Lines to Homes at no Cost to Residents

There is no Safe Amount of Lead, Which Can Cause Irreversible Cognitive Damage for Children

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. - Joined by officials from the Erie County Water Authority and colleagues in government, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced a federal grant of nearly $960,000 for the Water Authority that will be used for its ongoing project to replace lead service lines leading to homes. Costs for homeowners to replace decades-old lead service lines can reach thousands of dollars. ECWA's project takes advantage of its economy of scale by allowing them to contract hundreds of replacements, lowering overall costs and preventing it from being passed onto families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

"Older communities like Western New York continue to deal with the toxic legacy of past practices, including the use of lead service lines," said Congressman Kennedy. "The science is settled, we know that there is no safe amount of lead, and kids across our region deserve to enter adulthood with every advantage we can provide. That's why I was proud to secure this funding to ensure that the ECWA can continue to move towards its important target of removing all lead pipes."

"On behalf of the Erie County Water Authority and our mission to provide our customers with a plentiful supply of safe, high-quality, and affordable drinking water through reliable infrastructure, we appreciate Congressman Kennedy's financial support that will help our hardworking crews replace lead water lines as part of our Get the Lead Out initiative," said Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerome Schad. "The Congressman has been a great partner in our efforts to meet this federal mandate to enhance public health and safety, and we are grateful for his leadership in recognizing the importance of this critical work we are performing across our service territory."

"Every family deserves access to safe, clean drinking water," said Erie County Legislature Chairman Timothy Meyers. "This nearly $1 million federal investment will help the Erie County Water Authority identify and replace dangerous lead service lines, protecting the health of residents while modernizing critical infrastructure, and we're grateful to Congressman Tim Kennedy for securing these resources."

Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera said, "Families should not have to bear the high cost of replacing lead service lines. I want to thank Congressman Kennedy for securing this funding to help ECWA continue its Get the Lead Out initiative at no cost to residents, protecting public health and ensuring children have access to safe, clean drinking water."

"I want to thank the Congressman for his role in securing funds to assist the ECWA in addressing aging and problematic infrastructure," said Cheektowaga Supervisor Brian Nowak.

Replacing lead service lines is a recognized public health priority, with lead serving as a potent neurotoxin that leaches into drinking water and can cause irreversible cognitive damage, especially for children. To eliminate this widespread hazard, the EPA's Lead & Copper Rule Improvements regulations mandate that water systems replace 100% of lead pipes nationwide by 2037. To request a lead testing kit from the Erie County Water Authority, customers can call 716-849-8444. For more information, go to my.ecwa.org/GetTheLeadOut.

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