Poughkeepsie is Eligible for an Additional $3.2 Million Grant from the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Replace Lead Water Pipes
Part of $340 Million in State and Federal Investments to Help “Get the Lead Out”
Continues the Governor’s Nation-Leading Commitment to Improving and Strengthening Water Infrastructure Across New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $12 million state grant to help the City of Poughkeepsie identify and replace lead service lines, improving drinking water safety, protecting public health, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. This funding is part of a $340 million statewide initiative, combining state resources with federal support through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to remove lead pipes from water systems across New York. Poughkeepsie is eligible for an extra $3.2 million federal grant to further ensure clean, safe drinking water for its residents.
“When it comes to New York’s water infrastructure, we’re getting the lead out,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to give municipalities the resources and support they need to replace lead water pipes and protect public drinking water.”
Today’s announcement builds upon the Governor’s greater investment now totaling $100 million in state grants for lead service line inventory and replacement projects. Poughkeepsie is one of 12 municipalities to receive the state grant as well as federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grants and interest-free financing for lead service line replacement. The state grant will reimburse costs that were not fully covered by BIL grants, so the communities won’t have to pay back the financing for the associated projects.
To date, New York State has received $240 million for lead service line replacement through the BIL. Additional funding is expected over the next two years. Coupling state grants with federal funding takes the fiscal pressure off communities, allowing them to replace more lead service lines without incurring additional costs. The State’s comprehensive approach continues to provide communities with the resources they need to improve their water infrastructure without overburdening local ratepayers.
Including Poughkeepsie and previously announced awards, the full list of communities receiving nearly $100 million in state grants are:
- New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens): $28,000,000
- City of Rochester: $28,000,000
- City of Syracuse: $12,756,047
- City of Poughkeepsie: $11,869,472
- Village of Herkimer: $3,962,616
- City of Albany: $3,859,328
- City of Troy: $3,846,900
- Gloversville Water Works: $2,310,445
- Village of Ilion: $1,221,477
- Village of Ogdensburg: $688,300
- Village of Bath: $468,300
- Village of Catskill: $106,545
This funding is specifically targeted for historically disadvantaged communities. The awards prioritize communities that meet one or more of the following criteria:
- The community’s median household income is less than 80 percent of the regionally adjusted statewide median household income.
- The community’s local poverty rate is higher than the statewide poverty rate.
- At least 50 percent of the community’s lead service line project serves an environmental justice community.
Lead is harmful to human health and can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986.
New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY25 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $5.5 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. Governor Hochul’s State of the State initiatives are ensuring ongoing coordination with local governments and helping communities to leverage these investments. The Governor increased WIIA grants for wastewater projects from 25 to 50 percent of net eligible project costs for smaller, disadvantaged communities. The Governor also expanded EFC’s Community Assistance Teams to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding and address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC.
The funding, in addition to other substantial water quality investments, includes the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 which is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats; and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. The first round of funding under the Environmental Bond Act was awarded through the WIIA/IMG programs in December, when Governor Hochul announced $479 million in grants to 156 projects across New York State, including $309 million made available to disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged Communities will receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of Bond Act funding, with a goal of 40 percent.
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