New York State-led effort needed on lead pipes

Thousands of Long Islanders — mostly in Nassau County — drink water that flows through aging lead pipes.

That could expose area residents to toxins that can cause kidney disease, anemia, high blood pressure and other medical concerns, along with neurological damage to children.

Federal regulations require lead pipes, particularly the service lines that connect a water main to each house or building, to be identified, removed and replaced by 2037.

But that's easier said than done.

It's a complicated, costly endeavor, first to determine where each lead pipe is, and then to remove and replace it. According to a recent Newsday news analysis, on Long Island alone, there are more than 100,000 households with pipes made of unknown material — that could be lead.

Beyond that, with an enormous variety of water utilities across the state, the potential for a chaotic mess of different replacement procedures, processes and plans is high. What's more, while the state Department of Health is responsible for overseeing drinking water standards and lead pipe replacement, other agencies could play a role. State and local transportation departments should be involved, since inspecting and replacing water pipes should be coordinated with other upgrades for power lines and sewers. That would minimize and reduce the costs of the road work needed.

All of this requires a state-led effort that's transparent and smart. The Lead Pipe Replacement Act proposed during the last state legislative session would have established guidelines and procedures for the replacement process. New York lawmakers should move forward similar legislation next year.

It also should be easier to investigate and find lead pipes. Additional legislation to allow water districts access to homeowners' properties to inspect pipes, just as they would to check meters, makes sense.

Then there's the question of cost. Statewide, replacing every lead pipe could run a tab around $3 billion. The federal infrastructure law, passed in 2021, included $15 billion toward lead pipe replacement nationwide. And the state has a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that provides incentives and assistance for water infrastructure improvements.

Since 2023, communities statewide received more than $344 million to replace water pipes, funds provided based on a complex, opaque ranking system that includes factors like median household income. On Long Island, 14 water districts applied, but the region has, to date, received nothing. When asked, state Health Department officials said in a statement that the program is "competitive" and area applicants "did not score high enough." That's not a sufficient explanation.

But those funding questions, too, underline the need for a comprehensive, uniform and public process. Long Island has antiquated infrastructure and dozens of state-identified environmentally disadvantaged communities; the region needs its share.

The importance of clean, safe drinking water is a rare public health issue that should be bipartisan. With coordinated, committed and comprehensive leadership, federal, state and local officials can work together to improve the health of residents across the region and the state — one pipe at a time.