New York Awards 130 Million For Lead Pipe Replacement

UPDATED: September 24 with comment from Village of Johnson City officials

On September 18, 2026, New York State announced that over $130 million in grants have been awarded to several communities, including Johnson City, to identify and replace lead service lines. Governor Kathy Hochul's Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation Grants will help communities pay for projects that protect drinking water and safeguard the public health of New York State residents.

Safe, reliable drinking water is one of the most basic responsibilities of local government, and this
award gives Johnson City an important resource to furthur enhance that service. This $3.687 million investment will help us address aging infrastructure, protect public health, and move forward on this important work while being responsible stewards of our residents’ resources. - Johnson City Mayor Christina Charuk

The Governor notes that lead is harmful to human health and can enter drinking water when lead service lines, faucets, and fixtures corrode. Lead service lines that connect homes to water mains are typically the most significant source of lead in water, and lead plumbing is likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986.

Our communities shouldn’t have to choose between protecting their drinking water and taking on crushing debt. Every family deserves clean, safe drinking water at a cost they can afford, and these grants will help us make that goal a reality. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

These grants will help several communities pay for lead service line inventory and replacement projects supported by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The announcement revealed that the awards prioritize communities that meet one or more of the following:

The community’s median household income is less than 80 percent of the regionally adjusted statewide median household income
The community’s local poverty rate is higher than the statewide poverty rate

24 New York State municipalities were chosen for the awards, including in the Central and Southern Tier regions:

Village of Johnson City - $3,687,000
City of Oneonta - $433,500
Mohawk Valley Water Authority - $3,304,950
City of Ithaca - $4,910,000

For Johnson City, the LIFT award represents a significant investment in the Village’s longterm water infrastructure.

We are grateful to Governor Hochul, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the New York State Department of Health, our federal partners, and everyone
who helped make this award possible,” Mayor Charuk said. “This is exactly why maintaining strong relationships at every level of government is so important. When local knowledge and local leadership are paired with state and federal resources, we can make meaningful investments in our community while protecting our residents from unnecessary financial burdens. - Johnson City Mayor Christina Charuk

For more information, visit the New York State Governor's website.