New York City’s free lead service line replacement program has already saved more than 900 homeowners in the Bronx and Queens upward of $10,000 each in out-of-pocket costs, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced on September 9, 2026. The program, operated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, replaces privately owned lead and galvanized steel water lines with copper pipes at no cost to eligible property owners, backed by $96 million in combined state and federal funding.
Key Takeaways
- More than 900 homeowners in the Bronx and Queens have received free lead service line replacements, each saving upward of $10,000 in costs they would have otherwise paid out of pocket.
- The program is funded by $96 million in state and federal dollars, including a recently awarded $14 million New York State grant and $10 million from the federal government.
- NYC DEP expects to remove up to 7,000 lead service lines from private properties in low-income and environmental justice neighborhoods.
- Replacement work will expand to Soundview in the Bronx and Borough Park in Brooklyn beginning in 2027.
- Approximately 121,100 known lead or galvanized service lines remain across the five boroughs.
Completed Replacements Span Six Bronx Neighborhoods and Parts of Queens
The Department of Environmental Protection has already finished lead-to-copper replacements in Mount Eden, Fordham Heights, University Heights, Kingsbridge Heights, Belmont, and Mount Hope in the Bronx, along with parts of Flushing in Queens. These neighborhoods were prioritized because they sit within environmental justice communities that carry disproportionate exposure to pollution and the long-term effects of aging infrastructure. The program specifically targets areas where the median household income falls below $47,600 and where concentrations of lead service lines are highest.
The current phase builds on a pilot program that DEP completed in 2022, during which approximately 600 privately owned lead service lines were replaced across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island at no cost to property owners. That pilot informed the design and outreach strategy of the expanded initiative, which now operates on a significantly larger scale with a goal of reaching up to 7,000 properties.
$96 Million in State and Federal Funding Underwrites the Expansion
The financial backing for the program comes from a combination of sources rooted in the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and New York State loan forgiveness allocations. The most recent additions include a $14 million grant from the State and $10 million from the federal government, bringing total program funding to $96 million. Governor Hochul has positioned the investment as part of a broader $10.6 billion commitment to water infrastructure projects statewide since taking office.
The lead pipe initiative is one of several infrastructure programs targeting outer-borough neighborhoods that have historically absorbed the consequences of deferred maintenance. Queens, in particular, has become a focal point for environmental upgrades, with the city and state recently committing $8.4 million to transform concrete roadway medians into flood-absorbing green infrastructure in Whitestone, Forest Hills, and Queens Village.
For homeowners, the financial relief is substantial. Water service lines connect individual homes to the city’s water mains, and these lines are privately owned, meaning property owners are normally responsible for maintaining and replacing them. That replacement typically costs upward of $10,000 per property, a burden that falls hardest on homeowners in neighborhoods where incomes are already stretched. Under the DEP program, eligible property owners receive a letter directly from the department with instructions on how to enroll, and the entire replacement is handled at no charge.
NYC’s Drinking Water Arrives Lead-Free, but Private Lines Remain a Risk
New York City’s municipal water supply is delivered lead-free from upstate reservoirs and meets or exceeds all federal and state health standards. The risk enters the picture at the point where aging private service lines connect homes to the city’s water mains. Lead and galvanized steel pipes, many of them decades old, can leach contaminants into household water, particularly in properties that have not undergone modern plumbing upgrades. DEP Commissioner Lisa Garcia has described the replacement effort as a public health priority, noting that even small amounts of lead exposure can cause irreversible harm to young children and to people who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
The scale of the remaining challenge is significant. DEP estimates that approximately 121,100 known lead or galvanized service lines still exist across the five boroughs. While the current program addresses a fraction of that total, the city has signaled that continued federal and state investment will be needed to reach full replacement over time.
Next Phase Targets Soundview and Borough Park in 2027
Replacement work is expected to expand to Soundview in the Bronx and Borough Park in Brooklyn beginning in 2027, broadening the program’s geographic reach into new communities with high concentrations of lead infrastructure. The expansion reflects the city’s approach of rolling out the program in phases, prioritizing areas based on environmental data, income thresholds, and the density of lead service lines. Property owners in upcoming zones will be notified directly by DEP before work begins in their neighborhoods, and only those who receive official communication from the department are currently eligible to participate.
Mayor Mamdani framed the program as a matter of equity, stating that the city is going door to door to ensure New Yorkers can bring clean water from upstate reservoirs to their dining tables without facing a $10,000 bill. Governor Hochul echoed the point, emphasizing that ability to pay should never determine access to safe drinking water.
FAQs
Who Is Eligible for the Free Lead Pipe Replacement Program?
Eligibility is determined by DEP based on location, income data, and the presence of lead or galvanized steel service lines on a property. Only homeowners who receive an official letter or postcard from DEP are currently eligible. The program targets low-income neighborhoods and environmental justice communities in the Bronx and Queens, with Brooklyn expansion planned for 2027.
How Much Does the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Homeowners?
There is no cost to eligible homeowners. The program covers the full replacement of lead or galvanized steel service lines with copper pipes, a job that would typically cost upward of $10,000 if handled privately.
What Neighborhoods Have Already Been Served?
Completed work includes Mount Eden, Fordham Heights, University Heights, Kingsbridge Heights, Belmont, and Mount Hope in the Bronx, along with parts of Flushing in Queens. Soundview in the Bronx and Borough Park in Brooklyn are scheduled for 2027.
How Can Homeowners Check if Their Property Has a Lead Service Line?
NYC DEP maintains a public service line map on its website at nyc.gov/leadpipe, where property owners can look up their address and view whether their home is connected by a lead, galvanized, or copper service line.
Does New York City’s Tap Water Contain Lead?
New York City’s water supply is delivered lead-free from upstate reservoirs and meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. The risk of lead exposure comes from privately owned service lines and household plumbing that may contain lead or galvanized steel, which is why the city’s replacement program focuses on those private connections.
