Story by Edwin J. Viera, New York News Connection
A new Environmental Protection Agency rule means New York and other states will have ten years to remove all lead service lines.
The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require more rigorous testing of drinking water. New York has more than 449,000 lead service lines to remove, at a cost of around $2.5 billion. But it’s uncertain how it will be paid for. Rob Hayes, director of clean water with Environmental Advocates of New York, said it shouldn’t fall on homeowners.
“More often than not, these pipes are located in low-income communities and communities of color,” said Hayes. “These folks don’t have $5,000 to $10,000 to dig up a pipe that they didn’t put into the ground. People are struggling to pay for groceries and medicine. They shouldn’t have to face another economic burden to get clean drinking water.”
While the clock doesn’t officially start on line replacement until 2027, utilities have been preparing for this moment.
Starting this week, New York State utility companies have to submit lead service line inventories to the Department of Health and the EPA.
Hayes said he thinks utilities should start the work as soon as possible, due to the health effects of lead in drinking water. Some major challenges will be dealing with older infrastructure and ensuring water is properly filtered once the pipes are replaced.
Valerie Baron, senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, noted that places like Denver, Detroit, and Newark have been able to handle this timeframe.
But she said climate change will affect this work, too.
“When we have warmer temperatures, we see more lead leach into the water,” said Baron. “We also know that utilities need to keep operating through severe weather, and that can pose challenges.”
Baron added that the vibrations from rebuilding and construction can also leach lead into drinking water.
If a municipality can’t make the 2037 deadline, it can appeal to the state for a deferral – but only if it can prove the deferral is necessary.
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