Governor Cuomo Awards More Than $36 Million in Grants For Water Infrastructure Improvements on Long Island

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $36.1 million in grants to support 13 critical municipal water infrastructure projects on Long Island. This funding represents $58.7 million in taxpayer savings and supports the creation of more than 1,100 jobs. These grants are funded through the state's highly successful Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant programs.

"Investing in our state's water infrastructure is critical to regional growth and prosperity and maintaining safe, healthy communities," Governor Cuomo said. "By improving our water infrastructure, we are protecting our natural resources, laying the groundwork for future prosperity and helping to create a stronger, healthier, New York for all."

"It's critical that we ensure our drinking water is free of contaminants and safe for all New Yorkers," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This investment in grants for infrastructure improvements on Long Island will address needs to enhance and protect water quality, and also help to create more than 1,000 jobs in the area. We want to make sure that communities have the resources they need to make upgrades to their water treatment systems and ensure the health and safety of residents."

The Governor's Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 dedicated $2.5 billion for water quality protection across New York. Today's announcement is part of a statewide total of $270 million in grants being awarded to communities, including over $19 million to support projects that address cyanotoxins associated with harmful algal blooms (HABS), and previously announced grants totaling $15 million for projects addressing emerging contaminants such as PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4 dioxane.

To date, $750 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant funding supports nearly $2.65 billion in total project costs for vital drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide. Combined with zero- or low-interest financings through the State Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York taxpayers will save nearly $1.8 billion. Furthermore, these projects are expected to support more than 47,000 jobs in the construction, supplier and service sectors.

The Long Island municipalities receiving grants, including $14 million for projects addressing emerging contaminants, are:

A map with detailed project information is available here.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Sabrina Ty said, "Under Governor Cuomo, New York State is leading the nation in water infrastructure investment. The Environmental Facilities Corporation is proud to be able to provide significant funding to communities in need. We're helping to secure a critically important resource for both current and future New Yorkers."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "At Governor Cuomo's direction, New York continues to be an environmental leader in protecting our precious water resources. This funding will improve water quality, promote economic development, and provide much-needed water infrastructure improvements as we combat emerging water quality issues including harmful algal blooms and contaminants like PFOA, PFOS, and 1-4 dioxane."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard A. Zucker said, "At the direction of Governor Cuomo, New York State has committed unprecedented funding to implement the infrastructure upgrades and state-of-the-art filtration technology that safeguards clean and efficient drinking water for decades to come. Protecting our water resources is an essential part of maintaining the health and well-being of communities statewide."