One thing that makes the process easier: money.
Stump City recently received $2.3 million from the state to offset the cost of lead substitutes borrowed as part of the federal infrastructure bill.
“It eases our financial burden a lot,” Mendetta said.
Of the $7.7 million in federal funding allocated to Gloversville, $5.4 million was fully covered by the 2021 legislation. The high-dollar grant was awarded earlier this year from a pool of $15 billion set aside for line changes.
Had the city not received the grant, Mendetta expected additional debt would be added to the independent agency's existing bill for filtration upgrades, tank improvements on Eagle Street and spillway rehabilitation work at the Jackson Summit Reservoir Dam.
“It's a nice gesture from New York state to take on this debt because essentially they're going to pay for it,” Mendetta said. “And it’s a big relief for us because we have a lot of other projects going on.”
Approximately $90 million for lead pipe replacement was awarded nationwide to communities historically affected by socioeconomic health disparities. Portions of that funding include $106,545 for the Village of Catskill and about $3.8 million each for Albany and Troy.
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The ultimate goal of the rollout is to reduce the risk of lead exposure for residents. Thousands of old houses in New York were equipped with the toxic material. It was not until 1986 that new construction was banned.
Troy has poured millions of dollars into pipe rehabilitation since elevated levels of the toxic material were discovered in five dozen buildings earlier this year, causing something of a panic. Then-Mayor Patrick Madden's administration was accused of failing to spend funds granted by the state years ago to replace lead service lines.
A total of $30 million in LSLR funds was spent nationwide. Approximately $4.2 million was distributed throughout the region, including $623,655 for Gloversville in 2017.
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Mendetta said about 400 lead pipes have been replaced between then and now. He expects more than 2,000 pipes in the city will need to be replaced by the inventory update on Oct. 16.
Previously, about 1,500 pipes were counted, but that has likely changed, according to Mendetta, as the EPA recently expanded the definition of contaminated lead pipes
It is still uncertain how long it will take to make Gloversville lead-free.
“We're hoping this money will be available a little quicker, but we're not really sure,” Mendetta said. “There is quite a bit of funding paperwork and then there will be a lot of planning. This will be a very large, far-reaching and lengthy project.”
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