Page 2 - QT Edition #2 01-08-26

PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026

State Health Department Oversight Of Lead Service
Line Replacement Program Needs Improvement

(Continued from page 1) blood lead levels was awarded a trict Lead Testing Audit Series
grant, while others in the same In 2025, DiNapoli released a
service lines in the country, with region with rates as high as 7.16% series of audits examining school
an estimated 494,000 as of April were passed over. districts’ compliance with testing
2023. Auditors also found that DOH for lead in sources of drinking
To address the issue of lead did not ensure that all covered water. None of the 21 districts
contamination in drinking wa- water systems submitted com- that were audited fully met all
ter, New York state enacted the plete and accurate service line state requirements for testing or
Clean Water Infrastructure Act inventories in compliance with exempting all potable water out-
of 2017. The act required DOH to state and federal requirements, lets which may be accessible to
implement a Lead Service Line with 951 of 2,951 water systems students, staff and the public for
Replacement Program to provide (32%) covered by the initial inven- lead contamination.
municipalities with grants to tory requirement missing the Oct. Only one district developed and
replace lead water service lines. 16, 2024 deadline. As of August maintained a complete sampling
The law required DOH to al- 2025, 140 systems still had not plan, only one had a complete
locate program funds equitably complied. remedial action plan in place, and
among all regions of the state, Further, many inventories only one reported testing results
and municipality eligibility was contained inaccurate or incom- to all required parties within the
pre-determined by DOH based plete data, including listing lines required timeframes. Of the 6,431
on criteria set out in the act. DOH already replaced but still listed as water outlets auditors identified in
designated that the focus should composing “lead” or “unknown” select areas of the school districts,
A & F Auto Repairs, Inc. be on residential lead service lines material. 1,867 (29%) outlets were either
DiNapoli recommended DOH:
replacement.
not sampled or secured against
General Auto Repairs DiNapoli’s auditors found • Develop and implement en- consumption, as required.
(Foreingn and Domestic) DOH’s policies, procedures and hanced controls and monitoring DiNapoli released a global re-
Accessories guidance were not sufficient to practices for grants administered port summarizing the audit series’
• Tires • Batteries ensure that funds were always by DOH. This may include, but findings and recommendations
• Electronic Tune-ups spent in a timely manner and ef- not be limited to, developing that school officials:
• Inspection Station fectively. Of the $30 million allo- policies and procedures and pro- • Develop procedures identify-
• Towing cated to the program and awarded moting enhanced participation ing all individuals involved in lead
to municipalities, only $23 million in programs by providing clear sampling, testing and reporting
ARIS & FRANK was spent, and the unspent funds guidelines and support to award- and their roles and responsibili-
43-05 111th Street • Corona Heights, NY were not reallocated to other ees to ensure funds are spent ties, including conducting a re-
eligible municipalities. Of the 44 purposefully; and
view of all work related to the lead
Greek, Spanish and Italian Spoken municipalities awarded grants, • Develop and implement formal testing program for accuracy and
(718) 592-7470 (718) 699-2499 four did not spend any of the funds procedures to ensure all covered completeness;
and 25 did not spend their entire water systems submit complete • Develop and implement sam-
award for various reasons, includ- and accurate service line inven- pling and remedial action plans
Read Our Paper Online Visit our ing uncertainty about eligible uses tories and provide annual updates for all water outlets that could be
of the funds, unclear guidance and when required. DOH should also used for drinking and cooking,
website: www.queenstimes.com unwillingness to participate. take steps, such as providing including details on which water
or scan QR code After identifying eligible additional support to help water outlets will be considered exempt
municipalities, DOH weighed systems accurately identify the from sampling and their controls
its three scoring factors equally material composition of service to secure against use;
and, when there was a tie, used lines, to increase the number of • Identify which water outlets
Subscribe to the the number of houses built before service lines with known and exceeded the lead action level and
1939 as the deciding factor. This verified materials.
remove from service until it is
Queens Times led to municipalities with higher DOH generally disagreed with confirmed they are below the lead
rates of childhood blood lead lev-
audit’s findings, noting that it’s action level or secure against use
els sometimes being passed over guidance allowed the program to with proper controls; and
Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens in favor of municipalities with achieve a 90% compliance rate • Notify all required parties in
lower rates of childhood blood within months of the due date. the required time periods after
Just $57.00 per year... and have the paper lead levels, but with more older The agency’s response is included lead testing results are received
delivered to your door by US Mail homes. One municipality with in the report. and maintain accurate records of
3.65% of children with elevated Global Report on School Dis- all notification efforts performed.
Please Enter my Subscription For One Year
Meng Joins Queens Author at Flushing Library
Name ..............................................................................
For Read Aloud With Local Children
Address ..........................................................................
(Continued from page 1) pet training course and then a big our future.”
City..................................................Zip........................... talent show. The entire book is the “Having grown up in Flushing,
Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: Approximately 40 local kids journey of friendship between I’m thrilled to now be part of the
listened to the reading of “Elmer Elmer and Benny.
incredible programming that the
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 and the Talent Show,” a book that In addition to friendship, the library is providing in the com-
Velasquez wrote in cooperation story explores the idea of ac- munity,” said Crystal Velasquez.
with Danny Robertshaw and Ron ceptance, and how the “perfect” “The library helped spark my love
Danta, the founders of Danny & companion might be different of reading as a kid, so it does my
Ron’s Rescue. from what you expect. heart good to see that spark being
The story is about a small “As a mom of two boys, I know passed onto the next generation,
senior dachshund with a big firsthand how important reading and to see Grace Meng supporting
personality living at a rescue is for children, and I was thrilled this important institution.”
facility looking for a forever fam- to see local kids listening to and Following the reading. Meng
Published every week by CT Publishing Corp. ily. However, since Elmer is an enjoying this wonderful story,” and Velasquez held a question-
Executive Office: 102-54 Nicolls Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 older dog with a floppy tongue said Congresswoman Meng. “I and-answer session with all the
Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 who has had several health chal- thank the Queens Public Library children.
Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 357-3682 lenges and surgeries, families do for being such a valued resource Others attending the event
Web Site: www.queenstimes.com not think he is the perfect pet. for children and thank you to included Queens Public Library
email: editor@queenstimes.com The main character, Benny, just Crystal Velasquez for reading one CEO Dennis Walcott, Yang Zeng,
moved again and just wants a of her great books. In Congress, Director of Queens Library’s
James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor friend. His parents tell him they’re I have worked on many issues to Flushing Branch and families of
getting a dog, but his excitement improve the lives of children and the children.
Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster diminished after seeing Elmer. will continue to do so. We need Velasquez still resides in
Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent His parents signed them up for a to remember that our children are Flushing.
Nicole Rescigno.....................Office Manager
Joseph V. Dorsa ...................Photo Journalist
Joseph Natalle .......................Photojournalist Read Our Paper Online Visit Our Website
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