Buffalo Needs Your Help To Replace Thousands Of Lead Water Lines

Under the more than 600 miles of roads in New York State's second-largest city lies a problem that needs to be remediated. That problem, if left unchecked, will cause severe damage to the residents of our great city. However, if these issues are fixed, the improvements will serve the people of Buffalo for generations to come.

It's no secret that Buffalo has many lead water service lines buried underground, and those pipes are very old. Those pipes have been causing problems for the residents of Buffalo for years, and thanks to some funds from the American Rescue Plan, the local government is going to have some additional resources to do something about that.

READ MORE: Buffalo’s Lead Pipe Problem

Officials estimate that well over 40,000 lead water lines are still feeding homes in Buffalo. Thanks to a new collaborative effort between the government and community groups, something is being done to fix it.

Buffalo Water and the City of Buffalo have teamed up with Open Buffalo and the Community Health Center of Buffalo to help engage more Buffalonians in participating in the city's Lead Service Line Replacement Program. That program seeks to identify which of the more than 40,000 water service lines in Buffalo use lead piping and then work to upgrade and replace those lines with newer non-lead lines.

The new community partnership, called the Community Care Worker Coalition (CCWC): Economic Empowerment in Lead Line Remediation - Community Action Plan (EELL-CAP) seeks to work the community, going door-to-door, neighborhood by neighborhood, to provide information, service, and support in identifying and replacing residential lead service lines.

READ MORE: Community Groups Demand Help With Housing Quality in Buffalo, NY

The program, which began on August 15, 2024, is starting in Buffalo's Cold Springs and Hamlin Park Neighborhoods. Residents will be able to get help figuring out if they have lead water service lines, get added to the database for repair and replacement, and even have their water tested to determine the quality of the water in their homes.

Through collaboration with Buffalo Water, Open Buffalo, and the Community Health Center of Buffalo, we're ensuring every voice is heard and every home moves closer to being lead-free. I encourage our community to get involved and join us in making a lasting impact on our city's safety and well-being.
-Zeneta Everhart, Masten District Councilwoman

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.