The city of Buffalo is getting help from community groups to reach residents about lead water pipes at their residences. City officials and representatives from the groups launched an initiative called Community Care Worker Coalition: Economic Empowerment in Lead Line Remediation Community Action Plan. EELL-CAP, for short, is a collaboration between the Buffalo Water Board, Open Buffalo and the Community Health Center of Buffalo to go neighborhood by neighborhood gathering information from residents about lead service lines – the pipes that connect municipal water mains to homes and other buildings – so they eventually can be replaced.
Buffalo Water Board Chairman Oluwole "OJ" McFoy speaks to reporters on Aug. 15, 2024, about new outreach program to help city residents identify lead service lines at their households. Masten Common Council Member Zeneta B.
Everhart (in white) and Open Buffalo Executive Director Franchelle Parker (in yellow) look on. The community groups will work with the city on a six-month pilot program that kicked off Thursday at Broderick Park, beginning with Hamlin Park, Cold Springs and surrounding neighborhoods. Workers will assist households in identifying their water service lines and enter data onto a digital map system.
Agents also will help residents collect water tap samples to be submitted to a lab for testing to detect elevated lead levels. “The idea behind the Community Care Worker coalition is for our community partners to actively pursu.