NORWICH – An inpouring of more than half a million dollars of state money is being made available to help Norwich city residents replace dangerous lead water lines leading into their homes.

Norwich is one of only two cities in the Southern Tier awarded a total $1.06 million, half of which will go to Norwich and the other half to the City of Hornell.

Funds come from a larger $10 allocation from the New York State Department of Health earmarked to eliminate communities' residential drinking water lead service lines. The grant builds on a previous $20 million that's already been awarded across the state.

Awards are a key component of New York's $2.5 billion commitment to clean water infrastructure.

Norwich City Mayor Christine Carnrike said because this is a no-match grant, it could go a long way in assisting local residents. Homeowners will be reimbursed by the city, and the city reimbursed by the state.