Senator Elaine Phillips Announces Funding For Long Island Drinking Water Lead Service Lines

Senator Elaine Phillips today announced that Long Island has been awarded $2.4 million for the replacement of residential drinking water lead service lines as part of the state’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.

“Improving our aging water infrastructure is crucial to ensuring residents and future generations have access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Senator Elaine Phillips.  “This funding will allow for necessary upgrades to older drinking water service lines which may allow lead to seep into older corroding lines. The Towns of North Hempstead, Hempstead and Southold, as well as the City of Glen Cove have each been granted $611,363 as part of a $20 million statewide program.

Earlier this year, the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 was created as part of the finalized state budget.  This Act created the Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program, which allowed the NYS Department of Health to provide funds for the replacement of lead service lines.   Municipalities were determined to be eligible to participate in the program based on the criteria including: percentage of children with elevated blood levels, median household income, and the number of homes built before 1939. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that drinking water contaminated with lead can contribute to 20 percent or more of a person's total lead exposure. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.