Replacing lead water lines in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Postcards have been mailed to Amsterdam residents who are hooked into the City's water supply. They warn that the level of lead in most water lines is almost double where it should be.

"The truth of the matter is, there's no lead in our water supply at the reservoir. There's no lead in our water supply once it leaves our water treatment plant. The lead getting into the water occurs at the supply line level at each house that has an old lead supply line," stated Michael Cinquanti, Mayor of the City of Amsterdam.

Lead has been a serious issue in homes around Amsterdam. Jasmine Ortiz says she has also been mailed warnings. "The lead kind of killed my axolotl tank. I had a very expensive tank going on; killed every single last one of them and I think this recent one has been affecting my health because I have a heart monitor on."

Just last month, Governor Hochul announced $90 million in grants to replace lead service lines.

Cities like Troy and Albany are on the list. "The Albany Water Board has actually given over a million dollars in reimbursable grant funds to our homeowners to get their lead service pipes removed," said Joe Coffey, Albany Water Commissioner.

But Amsterdam is not. "We've applied for a $1 million CFA grant which will be announced sometime in November and that's specifically to help us replace lead lines," explained Mayor Cinquanti.

Mayor Cinquanti estimates anywhere between 1,500 and 1,700 homes have lead lines. It could cost the City five to ten thousand dollars to replace each one. 50 have been replaced so far. 

If you would like to get your water line tested, call Amsterdam Water Treatment at (518) 843-3009. The EPA is requiring every water utility across the country to inventory its water service lines by October 16, 2024.