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NY Rep. Torres introduces bill to give tax breaks for lead pipe water filters
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Jan 29, 2025
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By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Jan 29, 2025
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Residents of about 250,000 New York City buildings with lead pipes or possible lead pipes could have a new option for safe drinking water.
A new bill introduced on Wednesday by Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Bronx Democrat, would offer taxpayers a 20% credit for filtration systems that remove lead from drinking water. The filters, experts said, would serve as a temporary solution ahead of a deadline in 10 years for landlords to replace all lead pipes in the country carrying drinking water.
"Clean and safe drinking water is essential to the health and well-being of every family,” Torres wrote in a statement. “In communities across New York state, from the South Bronx to Hempstead, from Utica to Rochester, there are alarming levels of lead and other dangerous pollutants in our water systems that have left families vulnerable.”
He cited a 2023 EPA report that found there are 500,000 lead service lines throughout New York state. In November, the New York League of Conservation Voters released a map showing there are 124,197 lead pipes in the city and another 124,917 pipes that may contain lead.
Torres’ bill comes amid signs that the EPA order to remove all lead pipes, which was imposed during the Biden administration, will be lifted. President Donald Trump issued a broad executive order called “Unleashing American Energy” that pauses disbursement of federal funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. That money includes funding for replacement of lead pipes.
Meanwhile, Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer introduced a resolution earlier this month calling for the House to formally disapprove of the EPA rule requiring removal of all water pipes and declare it has no “force or effect.”
Torres’ bill allows for a 20% tax credit for primary residences and 10% for secondary homes. The language is purposefully vague to allow homeowners and renters alike to take advantage of the benefit.
Joshua Klainberg, senior vice president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said that removing lead pipes is a bipartisan issue and that Torres’ bill should receive broad support.
”Lead is universally disapproved of by everyone in this country,” Klainberg said. “This is something I would think might be palatable across the aisle, considering that it's voluntary and considering that it addresses a very important issue that red states and blue states are equally concerned about.”
Rep. Michael Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican, supports removal of lead pipes.
“He [Lawler] will review Congressman Torres’ legislation and continue to find ways to improve water quality in communities across the Hudson Valley and the state,” Lawler’s spokesperson Nate Soule wrote via email.
Both Lawler and Torres have said they’re considering running against Gov. Kathy Hochul next year.
There is no safe level of lead contamination. Nationwide, the EPA estimates that nearly 9 million homes get their drinking water via lead pipes. When lead enters the body, it can affect every organ and cause a long list of health problems, including impaired brain function and infertility. Children are at the greatest risk.
Gothamist previously published an explainer on what tenants should do if their building has lead pipes. A first step is to test water with free kits from 311 or the city Department of Environmental Protection.
Dr. Morri Markowitz, director of the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Treatment Program at Montefiore Medical Center, recommended running more than one test. A single negative test isn’t a sure bet because lead contamination can be intermittent and inconsistent.
“ A positive test is trouble,” Markowitz said. “A negative test of the water is not a guarantee.”
Markowitz also warned that filtration systems that remove lead vary in quality. The EPA has only recommended a handful of models.
”There is an immediate need to get a filter in because it may be 10 years until the source of that water contamination has been fixed,” Markowitz said.
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Health and Science
Rosemary Misdary
Rosemary is health & science reporter. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 646-544-9524.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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