Approval of Financial Assistance Authorizes Municipal Access to the Capital Needed for Shovel Ready Projects to Protect Safe Drinking Water, Prevent Pollution and Reduce Risks to Public Health and the Environment

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced over $70 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved low-cost financing and previously announced grants, authorizing municipal access to the capital needed to get shovels in the ground for drinking water and sewer projects that reduce potential risks to public health and the environment. The Board also approved low-cost long-term financing for five completed projects, providing debt relief through lower interest rates than if the municipalities borrowed on their own.

"New York State is committed to providing communities with the resources needed to take action on critical water infrastructure projects that prevent exposure and health risks," Governor Hochul said. "The grants and financings approved by the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board will leverage even greater local investments to help ensure our communities in every corner of New York have access to clean, safe water."

Highlights of the funding approved include grants to treat emerging contaminants above the state-determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). This includes grants totaling $16.2 million to the Suffolk County Water Authority for 11 drinking water projects as well as a $2 million grant to the Manhasset Lakeville Water District in Nassau County.

The Board also approved two critical sewer projects utilizing state grants and funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). These state and federal investments include over $7 million for the City of Watervliet in Albany County and over $2.5 million for the Village of Sidney in Delaware County.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "The significant resources included in today's announcement underscore Governor Hochul's commitment to help ensure all of New York's communities have the financial assistance necessary to undertake their critical sewer and drinking water projects. We are making strategic, life-saving improvements to our state's water infrastructure and these investments will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Governor Hochul's commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to clean water is evident from the State's sustained investments in clean water projects, like the grants announced today, and bolstered by DEC's work in communities across the state to protect drinking water from emerging contaminants and other pollutants. DEC is proud to work with our state and federal partners on water infrastructure projects to protect the health of our communities and our natural resources for generations to come."

New York State Department of Health Acting Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental part of building and maintaining a healthy community. These investments announced today by Governor Hochul recognize that need and will ensure more New Yorkers have access to the highest quality drinking water possible."

New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "New York State continues to be proactive in upgrading our clean water infrastructure, which is a top priority for creating healthy, sustainable and resilient communities. The $70 million investment available for financial assistance for water and sewer improvement projects across the state will offer the necessary resources to help reduce the potential risks to public health, benefit our communities and strengthen the New York's environment and economy for generations to come."

Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said, "The funding is here and ready for communities to use for a variety of water infrastructure improvements across New York State, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. From ensuring people have access to safe drinking water to reducing sewage in our waterways, I applaud Governor Hochul and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for getting this funding out the door for tangible projects to improve people's lives across the state."

Representative Paul Tonko said, "From frequent main breaks, to deteriorating infrastructure, to contaminants such as lead and PFAS, our water systems have been neglected for far too long, often at the cost of our communities' health and safety," Congressman Paul Tonko said. "After decades of ignoring this hidden but critical infrastructure, I was proud take action in Congress with our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I'm grateful to see both this federal as well as state funding being delivered to New York, and I look forward to continuing to push for needed investments in our region's water infrastructure."

Clean Water Project Funding Approved

    Village of Florida in Orange County - $54,540 WIIA grant for the planning, design, and construction of a new effluent disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant.
    Village of Avon in Livingston County - $600,000 short-term interest free financing, $1,000,000 short-term market rate financing and $200,000 WIIA grant for the planning, design, and construction of disinfection improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.
    Town of Seneca Falls in Seneca County - $5,130,000 short-term interest free financing and $1,710,000 WIIA grant for the planning, design, and construction of a new excess flow tank at the Seneca Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant.
    City of Watervliet in Albany County - $875,000 short-term interest free financing and $2,549,000 grant from BIL General Supplemental Funds, $2,500,000 short-term market rate financing, and $1,248,141 WIIA grant for the planning, design, and construction of a combined sewer overflow elimination project.
    Village of Sidney in Delaware County - $565,312 short-term interest free financing and $887,469 from BIL General Supplemental Funds, $565,313 CWSRF grant and $565,313 WIIA grant for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment facility upgrades.
    Village of Corinth in Saratoga County - $12,423,597 long-term interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant replacement and collection system rehabilitation.
    Town of Bethel in Sullivan County - $2,474,520 long-term interest-free financing to rehabilitate and replace portions of the sanitary sewer collection system serving the Kauneonga Lake Sewer District.
    Village of Alden in Erie County - $4,961,891 long-term interest-free financing for sanitary sewer and wastewater treatment plant improvements.
    City of Oswego in Oswego County - $7,436,058 long-term interest-free financing to plan, design and construct electrical, mechanical and software upgrades at the city's two wastewater treatment plants.
    City of Troy in Rensselaer County - $4,800,652 long-term interest-free financing for combined sewer overflow abatement projects in the Cities of Troy, Albany, and Cohoes in support of the Albany Pool Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan.

Drinking Water Project Funding Approved

    Suffolk County Water Authority - 11 WIIA grants totaling $16,200,000 for the construction of new advanced oxidation process systems to remove 1,4-dioxane at the following:
        Sunken Meadow State Park well field located in Kings Park, Town of Smithtown.
        Well No. 3 at the Third Avenue Well Field located in Brentwood, Town of Islip.
        Commercial Boulevard well field located in Central Islip, Town of Islip.
        Douglas Avenue well field located in the Village of Northport, Town of Huntington.
        Old Dock Road well field located in Kings Park, Town of Smithtown.
        Lawrence Road well field located in Kings Park, Town of Smithtown.
        Wayne Court well field located in Fort Salonga, Town of Huntington.
        Jayne Boulevard well field located in Terryville, Town of Brookhaven.
        Wheeler Road well field located in Hauppauge, Town of Smithtown.
        Peconic Street well field located in Lakeland/Ronkonkoma, Town of Islip.
        Woodchuck Hollow Road well field located Cold Spring Harbor, Town of Huntington.

    Manhasset Lakeville Water District in Nassau County - $2,058,600 WIIA grant for the installation of a granular activated carbon system for the removal of perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at the Willets Well.
    Town of Bedford in Westchester County - $841,050 WIIA grant for the construction of a control building, chlorination injection system, water main connection and electrical service in addition to two new supply wells for the Farms and Old Post Road Water Districts.
    Village of Brocton in Chautauqua County - $395,520 short-term market-rate financing and $605,280 WIIA grant to replace approximately 3,400 linear feet of 8-inch watermain on Central Avenue.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York continues to increase its investments in clean water infrastructure. Most recently, in her 2023 Executive Budget proposal, Governor Hochul committed to invest an additional $500 million in clean water funding, bringing New York's total clean water infrastructure investment to $5 billion. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, Community Assistance Teams are providing proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs. Communities who need assistance are encouraged to contact EFC by going to efc.ny.gov/CAT.

In addition, with voter approval of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, there are additional, historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality; strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding; reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions; restore habitats; preserve outdoor spaces and local farms; and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities.

EFC has started the process of making Environmental Bond Act funding for water infrastructure available through its grant programs. Draft eligibility guidelines released for public comment expand the WIIA/Intermunicipal Grants programs' legacy of modernizing aging systems and protecting drinking water. Public comments on the eligibility guidelines will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 14. Submit written comments to Máire Cunningham at [email protected] or Environmental Facilities Corporation 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207.