This agreement provides funding to the city of hoboken to implement its project to replace failing water mains and remove lead service lines as directed in the 2024 consolidated appropriations act

The City of Hoboken received a $4.62 million Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 under the Congressionally Mandated Projects program (CFDA 66.202), awarded August 1, 2025, with a completion date of July 31, 2027. The award funds Phase III of Hoboken's Water Infrastructure Upgrade Program, which delivers drinking water conveyance system improvements across three discrete locations in the city: Bloomfield Street between 5th and 6th Streets, Bloomfield Street between 11th and 13th Streets, and Garden Street between 5th and 9th Streets.

The primary deliverables include replacement of existing 6-inch diameter water mains with new 8-inch diameter mains to meet current regulatory standards and reduce water main breaks; upgrade and replacement of existing service lines and valve boxes from the distribution main to the curb stop; and replacement of any lead or galvanized service lines encountered during construction. Additionally, the award funds a metering program component that includes replacement of existing meters and installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) equipment citywide to enable automatic meter reading. These integrated infrastructure improvements are designed to enhance water distribution reliability and eliminate lead from the drinking water supply for Hoboken residents.

Hoboken implemented a water infrastructure upgrade program to upgrade the existing water mains at prioritized segments to meet current regulatory standards over an extended timeframe. Phase III of the program, which is the subject of community grant workplan, consists of three discrete locations within the city of hoboken: bloomfield street between 5TH and 6TH street, bloomfield street between 11TH and 13TH street, and garden street between 5TH and 9TH street. Existing 6-inch diameter water mains have been and will continue to be increased to 8-inch diameter, and existing service lines and valve boxes from the distribution main to the curb stop have been and will continue to be upgraded and replaced. If any lead or galvanized service is encountered during construction, the service line will be replaced. In addition, the water metering portion of this program will include replacement of existing meters as well as installation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) equipment throughout the city, which will allow for automatic meter reading. Activities:the activities to be performed include the execution and implementation of a drinking water infrastructure construction project. Workplan activities consist of water conveyance system improvements. The program intends to upgrade the existing water mains in prioritized segments to meet current regulatory standards and improve water distribution to residents by reducing water main breaks and removing lead from drinking water if encountered. In addition, a metering portion of the program intends to replace existing meters allowing for automatic meter reading. The project includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following: - replace all existing 6-inch diameter water mains with new 8-inch water mains. - replace service lines from distribution main to the curb stop. - upgrade and replace valve boxes from distribution main to the curb stop. - replace lead or galvanized service lines from the curb stop to the water meter if found during construction. - obtain right-of-entry's (roes) before service line replacement from the curb stop to the water meter, if required. - removal and proper legal disposal of lead service lines, concrete, asphalt, vegetation, excess soil, and other surplus waste and materials in accordance with all local, state, and federal requirements. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this project will protect the human health and increase residents' quality of life by improving water distribution to residents and reduce water main breaks therefore giving residents consistent access to water, a human right. This project will also improve the water quality in the entire population by ensuring there are no lead service lines if encountered and therefore decrease the amount of environmental justice indicators for pollution and sources. The replacement of the water main will also avoid emergency shutdowns and possible contamination of the water distribution system. The project will also ensure a lower number of water main replacements occur per year minimizing temporary impacts to residents and businesses. The intended beneficiaries include all hoboken residents and local businesses that operate within the city.