Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Announce Free Lead Pipe Replacement Program Has Saved 900 Bronx and Queens Homeowners More Than $10,000 Each

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) free lead service line replacement program has saved more than 900 Bronx and Queens 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 water service lines from private properties in low-income and environmental justice neighborhoods. All the funding is disbursed to the City by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).

"Ability to pay should never be an impediment to clean, safe drinking water," Governor Hochul said. "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 more than $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."

Mayor Mamdani said, "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. In partnership with Governor Hochul, we are replacing lead pipes with new, safe copper lines at no cost to eligible New York City homeowners."

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.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "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. 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."

DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia said, "Replacing privately-owned lead service lines is one of my highest priorities as commissioner, and DEP committed to getting this done in environmental justice neighborhoods. I urge eligible property owners to take advantage of this program. DEP is focused on securing the state and federal resources needed to accelerate replacements at no cost to homeowners, and I'm thankful to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for providing these grants."