The Department of Environmental Protection has suspended its policy requiring homeowners to replace water meters on lead service lines after Councilman Robert Holden raised concerns earlier this month.

The DEP’s pause follows a series of other commitments by the city agency, including eliminating fees for denying access and letters indicating that the DEP could not gain access to the water meters for inspections, Holden’s office said.

Holden, who represents neighborhoods in the 30th City Council District – including Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village and parts of Ridgewood – says the department’s efforts are a step in the right direction.

“While this measure is not perfect, it represents progress,” Holden said. “We will continue to advocate for our constituents to ensure they are treated fairly and equitably by the DEP.”

The councilman said his constituents have inundated him with complaints about skyrocketing water bills and allegations of service theft. In addition, his office has been provided with letters from the Department of Energy accusing homeowners of service theft.

QNS contacted the DEP for clarification on the matter after Holden sent a letter to the agency on Friday, August 2, in which the city clarified that it was not accusing customers of stealing water service.

The agency clarified that a letter regarding lead service lines may have caused confusion and would be revised to provide further clarity.

“DEP recognizes that our letter regarding meters and lead service lines may cause confusion among homeowners, and we are revising it to clarify the instructions,” DEP said in a statement. “We are also reviewing our policies regarding the installation of meters on lead service lines.”

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining and replacing their water lines that are connected directly to the city’s water main, unless they are already connected or there is a problem, as long as they are within the property line. The city recommends replacing lead lines to avoid common health complications that arise from the use of lead-containing plumbing.

The agency recommends installing lead-free utility lines, which has already been implemented as part of a pilot program that is expected to be expanded citywide.

Since the last communication between Holden and DEP, the city agency has suspended the penalty phase of a policy that requires property owners to hire a plumber to replace water meters on lead service lines.

DEP has also committed to no longer sending letters that could indicate theft of services, the city council said.

Holden’s praise for the DEP’s efforts to address constituents’ concerns is met with a stark reminder that more needs to be done. He also encourages anyone who receives further letters demanding fines from the DEP to contact their district office.

“The DEP’s recognition of the need to reform its handling of lead service lines is a step in the right direction,” Holden said. “When constituents contacted my office about the DEP’s handling of lead service lines and water meters, we sprang into action. While the DEP’s response is a step forward, there is still much work to be done. My office is always committed to making sure government works for you, not against you.”

DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala told Holden that letters would be sent to affected customers with detailed information on meter replacement and possible refunds.