Replacement of Lead Water Service Lines - Summer

Team Members: Margot Francini, Ansha Pathak, Beiyi Zhou, Evonne Deng, Ismail Hidayat, Josh Argentine, Kapil Kumar Narula, Noam Shapiro, Selene Li, Zihuan Tang

This report examines New York City Council Introduction 942, a proposed local law aimed at accelerating the replacement of lead water service lines in New York City. Although the city’s drinking water system is widely regarded as high quality, thousands of older buildings remain connected to the water system through lead pipes installed before the practice was banned in 1961. Exposure to lead through drinking water poses serious health risks, particularly for children and pregnant women, and is associated with neurological damage, reduced cognitive development, and other long-term health impacts. The bill proposes a framework to eliminate lead service lines within a ten-year timeframe through mandated replacement, financial penalties for non-compliance, public education initiatives, and financial support for disadvantaged communities.

The report evaluates the scientific basis of lead contamination in drinking water, including the mechanisms by which lead particles detach from aging pipes and enter household water supplies. It also assesses logistical and financial challenges associated with replacing aging water infrastructure, including the high costs of pipe replacement, coordination between property owners and municipal agencies, and potential exposure risks during replacement. Case studies from other U.S. cities are used to assess best practices and policy effectiveness. The report concludes that while complete lead pipe replacement represents the most effective long-term solution to eliminate exposure, successful implementation will require significant investment, strong coordination between city agencies and private property owners, and targeted support for vulnerable communities.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.