VICTORY: $12M State Grant for Poughkeepsie Pipe Replacement

For the Many Statement on $12M State Grant for Poughkeepsie Lead Service Line Replacement

For the Many’s Get Out the Lead Campaign led the City of Poughkeepsie to commit to lead pipe replacement in the Capital Improvement Plan, prompting state funding

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. –  On behalf of grassroots organization For the Many, Political Coordinator and Poughkeepsie resident Daniel Atonna released the following statement regarding Governor Hochul’s announcement of a $12 million state grant to replace lead water service lines in the City of Poughkeepsie:

“The state’s commitment today to fund the replacement of thousands of lead water service lines in Poughkeepsie is an enormous and long-awaited victory for city residents, and also a direct result of For the Many’s organizing. Our Get Out the Lead campaign, launched in 2023, made lead service line replacement a major local election issue. Thanks to our work with Poughkeepsie Common Council Member Megan Deichler, who introduced the Get the Lead Out Bill last year, the City of Poughkeepsie and Mayor Yvonne Flowers committed to lead pipe replacement in the Capital Improvement Plan. Now, because of the $12 million state grant Governor Hochul announced today, the city will have the money it needs to complete this incredibly important project.

“The people of Poughkeepsie have experienced mass lead poisoning at the hands of their elected officials for years and we deserve better. Mayors Rob Rolison and Marc Nelson failed to replace an estimated 5,500 lead water service lines throughout the city. On their watch, only 14 service lines were replaced from 2018 to 2022, despite Poughkeepsie spending more per line than any other city in the state—an embarrassing statistic considering the severe health implications of contaminated drinking water. 

“With this state funding, there are no more excuses for such negligence and corruption. Poughkeepsie residents simply want to drink clean water, and that is exactly what we deserve. It’s long past time to get the lead out. We commend the state for committing this funding, which will dramatically improve the health and lives of all Poughkeepsie residents.”