New York City Mayor Eric Adams today expanded a free program to replace privately-owned water service lines made of lead or galvanized steel at eligible properties in the Bronx and Queens.

The program is focused on homeowners who live in environmental justice communities with high concentrations of lead service lines and a median household income of less than $47,600.

The work is being done thanks to a total of $48 million in grants and interest-free loans funded in part by the Biden-Harris administration’s federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which earmarked $15 billion to be used nationally for lead service line replacements, and in part by New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s state loan forgiveness program.

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“New York City’s drinking water continues to be safe, clean, and delicious,” said Mayor Adams. “With this expanded program, we’re helping thousands of homeowners in low-income neighborhoods afford important infrastructure work that will do even more to prevent lead exposure. And outside of this program, we will continue to test, filter, and treat our water supply to keep all New Yorkers safe and well-hydrated.”

“New York has some of the best, safest, cleanest water in the world. Now, thanks to a $48 million grant from the Biden-Harris administration and our Federal Infrastructure Funding task force’s ongoing work, thousands of homeowners in lower-income areas who need to replace individual old lead lines can do so — and cost will not be an obstacle,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi.

“In recent years, we’ve made strides in reducing lead exposure levels in a variety of settings across the city, and today’s announcement adds to that effort,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Through a homeowner grant program, we’re providing a path by which important privately-owned infrastructure can be updated, especially for those families and communities most in need of support.”

“There is no more important mission than keeping New Yorkers and our water supply safe,” said New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Our water is lead free, but lead in homeowners’ pipes and service lines can introduce lead into drinking water.”

“Lead in drinking water irreparably harms the health of children and disproportionately impacts lower-income communities and communities of color,” said United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia.

“Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York state has made historic investments to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, which poses a clear threat to public health,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.