FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Rebecca Cheng and Matthew Leonenko | (516) 869-7794
Town Continues to Offer Funding to Replace Lead Water Service Lines for Residential Properties
North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board members would like to remind residents that the Town will fund the replacement of residential drinking water lead service lines as part of New York's Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017. In 2018, the Town was awarded a $611,363 Lead Service Line Replacement Program (LSLRP) grant to assist with the cost of the water line replacement for eligible homes.
Water mains maintained by the various water districts in the Town of North Hempstead have all since been replaced, however individual lead service lines connecting homes to these mains may still exist. Lead in service lines primarily existed in homes constructed before 1939. This program would allow for those individual service lines to be replaced and would cover the cost to do so.
Implementation of the lead line grant is being undertaken by the Town of North Hempstead Community Development Agency (CDA).
"Replacing these residential lead service lines will help to protect the health of our residents and their families," said Supervisor Bosworth. “We are grateful that this critical funding has been made available.”
Program basics:
The LSLRP grant program assists with the full or partial replacement of residential water service lines from the public water main to the residence. Partial replacement of the water service line would be allowed if portions are confirmed to not contain lead.
Typical project costs such as engineering, municipal application, or permit fees, contracting services, and related property restoration costs are included.
Homeowners may obtain a free test kit to determine if lead exists in their water service line by contacting the NYSDOH by email at FreeWaterTesting@health.ny.gov, by phone at 518-402-7650 or website at https://health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/free_lead_testing_pilot_program.htm.
Homeowners interested in confirming the presence of a lead service line and interested in having it replaced, can call the Town’s 311 Call Center or the CDA at 516-869-2480 or visit the CDA website at www.northhempsteadny.gov/cda-message for more information or application.
Williston Park homeowners Donald and Jane Scal received funding to replace lead service lines to their home. From left are John Maccarone of Maccarone Plumbing and Heating; Rosemary Olsen, the Executive Director of the Town’s CDA; Joseph Santamaria, assistant executive director of the Town’s CDA; Mario Merlos of Maccarone Plumbing and Heating; Dominic Leotta of Maccarone Plumbing and Heating; Jane Scal, homeowner; Supervisor Judi Bosworth; Don Scal, homeowner; Keither Sieber; and Town Grants Coordinator Thomas Devaney.