The city of Troy is taking another step forward in removing lead pipes from homes.

The city has asked the state’s environmental facilities corporation to purchase about $4 million in no-interest bonds.

The New York state comptroller’s office says the city can "constitutionally and legally" use bonds to cover removal costs. That advisory opinion from Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office was in response to a request from Troy's city council.

"Exposure to lead from water service pipes is a public health crisis that poses serious risks to New York's children and needs to be immediately addressed. Our legal opinion is that the city of Troy’s proposed bond issuance to address this public health threat is constitutional and authorized by State law," DiNapoli said in a statement. "It is encouraging that New York state and its local governments are taking action on this serious issue facing communities across the state."

In a statement, Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello said the city has "to date ... replaced over 350 lead pipes throughout the city."

In September, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Troy would receive $3,846,900 in state grants to improve drinking water infrastructure by finding and replacing lead service lines. The money will help cover the costs of lead service line replacement projects that received financing through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congress passed in 2021.