Get the Lead Out Initiative funding pipe removal

CATSKILL, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) -$116 million is available for drinking water systems in New York’s underprivileged communities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be funding Catskill, Ilion, Herkimer, Scotia, Fonda, and Amsterdam.

“Years ago, there were lead service lines or lead pipes that took our drinking water into our homes and science has obviously told us better. There is no safe level of lead,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator.

The Village of Catskill is receiving $1.6 million to change out its lead pipes. 133 pipes have already been found with lead and 534 lines still have to be tested. “It requires digging up the curb box and verifying that the line coming off of the street and into the residence is either copper, lead, galvanized pipe, or plastic,” explained Patrick McCulloch, Department of Public Works Village Superintendent.

The EPA’s new rules on lead lines require drinking water systems across the country to replace lead pipes in the next ten years. Without federal funding, it can be a hefty cost.

“All these grants that the Village of Catskill has received will save local ratepayers $2.6 million compared to if the Village had to finance this program themselves,” described Maureen A. Coleman, CEO of the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation.

Municipalities planning to take part in the Get the Lead Out Initiative have until October 16 to submit their service line inventory to qualify for funding.

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