'We've turned the page.' Gov Hochul awards Poughkeepsie $12 million to replace thousands of lead water lines
Gov. Hochul said a cash infusion of $500 million through the federal bipartisan infrastructure deal and $100 million from the state will finally help cities like Poughkeepsie make real progress replacing lead infrastructure.
On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul brought with her good news for Poughkeepsie officials who have been trying to come up with money to replace thousands of lead water service lines but making very little progress.
During a press conference in City Council chambers Wednesday, the governor announced the city will be receiving a grant worth $12 million to replace lead water service lines throughout the city.
Poughkeepsie is one of 12 disadvantaged communities receiving grants for the projects.
Hochul said that for decades, local governments had not been replacing lead pipes in significant numbers because it was too expensive for a municipal budget to absorb.
Hochul said a cash infusion of $500 million through the federal bipartisan infrastructure deal and $100 million from the state will finally help cities like Poughkeepsie make real progress.
"We will be grateful when we look back on this day," Hochul said, "and say, 'We've finally turned the page. No more lead in our pipes."
Bill Burgin is one of just 23 home owners whose lead service line has been replaced by the city using a smaller, previous grant.
Burgin was worried about how any exposure to lead might have affected his mother who recently died of cancer and his four cats.
Experts say lead exposure can damage the brain, damage the kidneys and cause behavioral problems.
"There are safety concerns and we're smart enough to know this," Burgin said. "We've got the things to do the smart thing. So do it."
The $12 million, if used wisely, could fund the replacements of more than 1,200 service lines.
There are 6,200 lead lines in the city though, according to city officials.
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson — who represents the city in Albany and has been leading the water infrastructure repair campaign — said more money will be available in the coming years through the state's Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which designates hundreds of millions of dollars to water projects.
"I'm pushing that the state does more," Jacobson said, "and adds at least another $100 million so that we can attack this more aggressively."
Local activists who helped illuminate the city's lead pipe issue over the last year said the next step for the city should be to form a commission of city residents to help decide which lines will be replaced first. So far, the city has prioritized homes of people with disabilities and daycares.
