Buffalo’s Lead Pipe Program Is Back On

Like other aging regions around the United States, Western New York is dealing with a lot of aging infrastructure all over town. While all of Western and Central New York has been struggling with underground pipes bursting and huge pot holes developing after a rough winter, the impacts of the age of the region is perhaps seen most in the central city.

A few years ago, the city of Buffalo, in partnership with the Buffalo Water Authority and the Buffalo Sewer Authority, announced a new program that sought to replace thousands of lead water lines that are buried underneath city streets.

After a few snags with the actual work done on the ground last year, it looks like the ROLL (Replace Old Lead Lines) initiative is back on after a huge infusion of cash from Congress.

Public Program To Replace Lead Water Pipes Is Ready To Help Homeowners

Since 2019, the ROLL program has worked to try and replace the more than 40,000 lead water pipes that are buried underground all around Buffalo. It's well known that New York State's second-largest city has had a lead program for decades, which is described by many to be worse than the issues that made major news in Flint, Michigan, a few years ago.

Now, thanks to a boost in cash from Congress, which was announced by Western New York Congressman Tim Kennedy on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the program will be able to help more than 100 low-income households in Buffalo.

Every family in Buffalo deserves the basic guarantee that when they turn on the tap, their water is safe... This transformative federal funding will help remove dangerous lead lines from our neighborhoods, protect our children’s health, and ensure working families in Western New York are not forced to shoulder the cost of replacing aging infrastructure on their own.
-Tim Kennedy, US Representative to Congress for New York's 26 District

According to Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the EPA is requiring Buffalo to remove all lead and galvanised steel water lines from underneath Buffalo by the year 2038. These funds should help the city get there.

The city of Buffalo maintains a map of every service line and what is known (or not known) about it. You can view the map, take the property service, and sign up for help on the Buffalo Water website or call 311.