Troy’s Lead Service Lines Replacement Program

Background: Following the 2017 enactment of New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act, the City of Troy was awarded $516,565 in 2018 for a Department of Health grant to replace lead service lines. Both independent research and the City itself confirm none of that money has been spent. A 1-10-23 review of the Office of the State Comptroller’s Open Book Data shows that Troy is the only Round 1 City to spend none of the Lead Service Line Replacement money and the only Round 1 municipality to not request an extension after having spent less than 85% of the funds. This is not for lack of need: in its most recent annual water report, Troy discloses that it is in violation of the State’s lead and copper control requirements. The children of at least two Troy residents were very recently found to have very high elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs).

EBLLs are unsafe at any age, but they are most harmful in the early stages of human development, at which point they are closely linked to a wide range of chronic problems that includes stunted speech, decreased cognitive function, delayed puberty, poor hearing, and a host of anti-social behaviors.

Public Comments: Because elevated blood lead levels are 100% preventable, lead policy advocates often say that the stubbornness of the lead poisoning epidemic is a political choice. The truth in that is rarely so literal. We find it deeply troubling that the City has neglected free money to address a preventable issue actively harming its residents for half a decade now. We strongly encourage the City to request a grant extension and work urgently toward implementation. If external support is needed to better understand how Troy can use the funds, TIMBER and its partners are more than happy to provide that at no cost.