Governor Hochul Announces $189 Million to Fund Water Infrastructure Projects

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved more than $189 million in funding for nine municipalities and public authorities for critical wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. The funding approved by the Board includes short-term financings and previously announced grants that will allow communities to access the capital needed to get their projects underway, as well as a long-term loan conversion that refinances an existing project for up to thirty years to reduce the debt burden on the municipality and help save taxpayer dollars.

"Modernizing our water systems is critical to strengthen the resiliency of our infrastructure and help ensure New Yorkers have access to clean drinking water," Governor Hochul said. "My administration is proud to prioritize critical water infrastructure projects across the state, and this funding will help localities overhaul outdated water and waste management systems, expanding access to clean water and improving public health."

Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "These funds enable construction of drinking water and wastewater projects in communities across our state. EFC thanks Governor Hochul for prioritizing water quality and helping our local government partners undertake vital projects that protect the environment and provide tremendous benefits for communities, enhancing both public health and the health of our economy."

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Governor Hochul continues to support and prioritize this critical state funding to safeguard clean water for our communities now and build a resilient infrastructure system that can withstand future environmental threats. DEC is proud to partner with the Environmental Facilities Corporation and communities across the state to help replace and strengthen New York's aging drinking and wastewater infrastructure systems."

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "These significant fiscal commitments for treating newly-regulated emerging contaminants that threaten drinking water quality and ensuring proper wastewater removal are building healthier communities and improving the well-being of all New Yorkers. We are pleased to be able to provide this support as communities work to upgrade and modernize outdated water delivery and septic systems."

The Board's approvals include financings through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants already announced pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA). Visit EFC's website to learn more about water infrastructure funding opportunities.

Clean Water Project Funding Approved:

• Town of Constantia in Oswego County - $5,000,000 WIIA grant, $15,400,000 in short-term, interest-free financing and $15,600,000 in short-term, market-rate financing to plan, design and construct the Constantia-Bernhards Bay Sewer District and expansion of the Village of Cleveland Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Village of Fishkill in Dutchess County - $4,125,000 WIIA grant and $17,375,000 in short-term, interest-free financing for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, pump station upgrades, and installation of a new force main.
• Village of Lowville in Lewis County - $1,017,000 WIIA grant, $2,709,750 WIIA grant, $2,806,628 in short-term, interest-free financing and $5,041,250 in short-term, market-rate financing for wastewater treatment improvements.
• City of Rome in Oneida County - $2,160,300 in long-term, interest-free financing for anaerobic digestor improvements.

Drinking Water Project Funding Approved:

• Village of Florida in Orange County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant and $2,290,000 in short-term, market-rate financing for filtration system upgrades.
• Village of Fort Edward in Washington County - $2,766,698 WIIA grant and $1,844,466 in short-term, market-rate financing to replace approximately 7,650 linear feet of aged and corroded watermain, replace a 200,000-gallon water storage tank and upgrade the existing booster pump station.
• Village of Hobart in Delaware County - $473,400 DWSRF grant and $315,600 in short-term, interest-free financing to construct two new water supply wells, replace existing filter pumps, replace iron/manganese filter media, and upgrade water treatment plant process piping.
• Manhasset-Lakeville Water District in Nassau County - $7,476,600 WIIA grant to install a new advanced oxidation process treatment system and granular activated carbon contactors to remove emerging contaminants from two wells at Searingtown Road Plant No. 1.
• New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority - $100,000,000 in short-term, market-rate financing to design and construct the Croton Water Filtration Plant and associated facilities (Phase 15).

Local Governments Encouraged to Participate in Clean Watersheds Needs Survey

EFC is urging municipalities to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS), which EFC kicked off in New York on March 1. Participation is critical as it may impact how much federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund dollars will be allocated to New York State to fund future clean water infrastructure projects. Municipalities are asked to document their community's wastewater infrastructure needs for submittal to EPA. Go to www.efc.ny.gov/needs to submit documentation and for resources to assist with submissions.