$573K contract awarded for pipe replacements...

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10)– The next phase of an ongoing lead service line replacement in Troy has begun as city officials awarded a $573,200 contract to Warren W. Fane Inc. According to city Mayor Carmella Mantello, the lead pipe replacement project within the city has been ongoing since 2024.

In August 2024, the city was awarded $13 million in federal aid for the removals, but were unable to use those funds to replace the privately owned parts of the pipes. A few months later, in December, the state Comptroller’s office allowed the city to issue bonds to cover the costs.

Since then, over 400 residents have had their pipes replaced. In March 2025, city officials said the Troy Department of Public Utilities found elevated lead levels in some of the 69 properties they tested for yearly water sample testing. However, the increased levels of lead could be from lead water service lines or interior lead plumbing in older properties, they said.

According to Mantello, the latest contract will speed up the citywide effort to replace the lead pipes.

“This is another strong step forward in fulfilling our promise to protect public health and modernize Troy’s aging water infrastructure,” said Mayor Carmella Mantello. “With the help of experienced contractors like Warren W. Fane Inc., and the support of federal funding, we’re not just fixing pipes – we’re building a healthier, safer future for every family in Troy.”

Mantello said the ongoing project has been a priority of hers since taking office. Since 2024, the city has used AI-powered data analysis to identify and map high-risk service lines, coordinated paving and milling that aligns with road repairs with pipe replacements, utilize corrosion control to prevent leaching in the water supply, and used hydro-excavation trucks to expose buried lines and determine where the lead is.

“We will continue to utilize every tool and every dollar available – from state partnerships to federal infrastructure grants – to remove lead pipes, upgrade our systems, and deliver on our promise to the people of Troy,” Mantello said.