Several lawmakers around New York State and in Rensselaer County have been pushing for more funding to replace lead pipes in the state budget.
Now that it's expected to be late, we're digging into if this will impact the timeline the lead pipes will be removed in Troy.
In New York it's estimated there are more than 360,000 lead pipes leading to various buildings including schools, businesses, and homes.
Troy resident Stephen Moran:
"The lead lines going into the houses? A lot."
In Troy, the city expects a total count of 4,500 lead lines that need to be replaced.
Governor Kathy Hochul has already pledged $500 million in the state budget for the clean water infrastructure act.
And the New York State Senate and Assembly budget proposals include $600 million for the same clean water infrastructure act, as well as $50 million in grants to specifically replace lead pipes.
ASM. John McDonald, (D) District 108: "There is arguably a couple billions dollars worth or work to be done over the next several years and we don't want to wait any longer we want to kind of move this along use federal and state money to address more properties."
With the state budget now expected to be delayed, community members are worried about the timeline to get the lead pipes out of the ground.
Stephen Kervin works in Troy, and said, "I think that everyone has the right to potable water in their house so I'd really appreciate it if we could accelerate that process."
Troy has previously reported a goal of 15 years to remove all lead pipes.
Mayor Patrick Madden said, "We have enough money that we have allocated from ARPA and another grant that we believe that we have enough to do everything that we will be able to handle this year."
Both McDonald and Madden say the state budget not being on time will not affect the timeline to remove lead pipes.
McDonald: "Whenever grant programs are put together there is a good 3 to 4 months worth of time that's necessary to structure the programs, rules, regulations."
Madden: "The reality is there are only so many plumbers in the world, there's only so much copper pipe in the world, and it takes time to do this."
Both officials express the behind the scenes work takes time, and although state funding would help, there are other restrictions and limitations.
Mayor Madden also says the city only has about 30% inventory of who needs pipes replaced, and without the total amount, it makes the process to remove lead pipes even harder.