Governor Hochul Announces $66 Million for Local Water Infrastructure Projects Across New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved $66 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects. Today's announcement marks the latest action to support upgrades to New York's water and sewer systems, reduce water pollution, and safeguard vital drinking water supplies. The Board's action authorizes municipal access to low-cost short-term financing and previously announced grants to move critical water and sewer infrastructure projects forward, including treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water and modernizing aging systems and facilities. The Board also approved low-cost long-term financing for seven completed projects, providing debt relief through lower interest rates than if the municipalities had borrowed on their own.

"New York is steadfast in our commitment to providing every community with access to clean water," Governor Hochul said. "This $66 million investment in statewide water infrastructure supports local communities with the resources and technical expertise to start these essential projects, which will protect public health and ensure that New Yorkers have safe, clean water for generations to come."

The Board's approvals include financings through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and grants already announced pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "The grants and financings approved today by the EFC Board help ensure that financial barriers don't prevent communities from undertaking vital projects that protect public health and the environment. EFC is committed to delivering these resources to the communities that need them most and will continue providing unparalleled support to help these communities access state and federal funding."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "The significant investments approved today by the EFC Board will deliver funding to local governments working to upgrade essential infrastructure. Governor Hochul is advancing generational investments to improve New York State's water quality by helping fix aging and overwhelmed infrastructure and safeguarding critical drinking water supplies for future generations."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "The $66 million approved today by the Environmental Facilities Corporation will ensure that local governments have the resources needed to make upgrades to their water systems and to safeguard their drinking water. I thank Governor Hochul for her actions to support New Yorker's health by ensuring that everyone has access to water that is monitored, treated and safe to consume."

New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "This unprecedented investment for water infrastructure projects is vital for the economic growth of New York's communities. Safe and reliable drinking water and sewer systems are not only critical to protect public health, but serve as a prerequisite to support new housing, jobs and economic activity to communities all across the state. The approval of $66 million in financial assistance by the Environmental Facility Corporation Board to modernize aging water infrastructure and facilities around the state will provide the infrastructure to allow communities to grow and thrive."

United States Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia said, "EPA and New York are working to ensure communities that have historically struggled to access these funding streams are prioritized. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA is forging productive partnerships with the states to maximize the impact of water infrastructure funding to address water challenges facing communities. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, disadvantaged communities - rural, urban, suburban - are finally receiving their fair share of federal water infrastructure funding to upgrade and improve water systems. Investing in water infrastructure protects public health, safeguards the environment and boosts the economy."

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said, "From the Capital Region to the Finger Lakes to the Southern Tier, every New Yorker deserves access to safe and clean drinking water and modern sewer systems and that is why I fought so hard to deliver massive increases in federal funding to New York state for these projects. Strong, reliable water infrastructure is essential for public health, a robust economy and the preservation of our environment, and I commend Governor Hochul for delivering this $66 million in financial assistance, which will not only provide vital upgrades to New York's water and sewer systems, but also reduce water pollution and remove harmful contaminants from drinking water, delivering critical benefits to every corner of the state," said Senator Schumer. "I am proud to have secured significant federal funding for New York's water infrastructure in my Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will help lay the foundation for an improved quality of life across the state, and I will never stop fighting to bring these federal dollars home to New York."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Clean water is an essential right that all New Yorkers and Americans deserve. These water infrastructure projects will ensure that New Yorkers have safe, reliable access to drinking water, while also reducing water pollution. In particular, I am proud to have worked to secure more than $500,000 of this funding for Wayne County through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I applaud Governor Hochul’s efforts to improve New York’s water infrastructure and I will continue to work so all New Yorkers have access to safe, clean water supplies.”

Representative Grace Meng said, "These types of water infrastructure upgrades are crucial to the environment and public health throughout our state. We must continue to make these investments for our communities and our future generations, and I am glad to see that funds from federal infrastructure law are continuing to go to New York. I thank Governor Hochul for announcing this critical money to help move these projects forward."

Representative Adriano Espaillat said, "Water is essential to life and our survival and access to clean water is a basic human right. The water infrastructure improvement projects announced today will support upgrades to our sewer systems and water supply, helping to reduce pollution and safeguard drinking supplies for all New Yorkers. I commend Governor Hochul for her efficient allocation of these federal funds to ensure water infrastructure projects are safe and reliable for residents across the state."

Clean Water Project Funding Approved

• Village of Menands, Albany County - $2,609,338 short-term interest-free financing, $2,609,337 short-term market-rate financing and $1,707,325 WIIA grant for the planning, designand construction of sanitary system improvements in the South End neighborhood.
• Village of Newark, Wayne County - $161,800 short-term interest-free financing, and $349,200 short-term interest-free financing with $511,000 grant from federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) General Supplemental funds for wastewater treatment plant disinfection improvements. Funding for water infrastructure from the BIL is administered by EFC through the State Revolving Funds.
• Village of Wayland, Steuben County - $1,125,000 short-term interest-free financing, $2,125,000 short-term market-rate financing and $750,000 WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements.
• Village of Fonda, Montgomery County - $814,950 long-term interest-free financing for sanitary sewer improvements.
• Village of Fredonia, Chautauqua County - $4,878,833 long-term interest-free financing to plan, design and construct the first phase of the village's wastewater treatment plant improvement project.
• Village of Middleport, Niagara County - $155,714 long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design and construction of a disinfection system at the village's wastewater treatment plant.
• Village of Naples, Ontario County - $4,812,577 long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design and construction of a new collection system and wastewater treatment plant.
• Village of Odessa, Schuyler County - $4,071,125 long-term interest-free financing for the planning, design and construction of a new collection system and wastewater treatment plant.
• City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County - $2,494,784 long-term interest-free financing for the design and construction of sanitary and storm sewer replacement and sanitary sewer rehabilitation.
• Sleepy Hollow Lake Association of Property Owners, Inc., Greene County - $6,904,042 long-term market-rate financing for pump station and wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

Drinking Water Project Funding Approved

• Greenlawn Water District, Suffolk County - $3,230,400 WIIA grant for the installation of an advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment system to treat 1,4-dioxane at Well No. 11.
• Jericho Water District, Nassau County - $12,115,200 WIIA grant to install an AOP treatment system and a granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment system at the Stillwell Lane Facility Well Nos. 20 and 21 for the removal of 1,4-dioxane and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
• Madison County - $1,608,000 WIIA grant to create the new Clockville Water District No. 1 in the Town of Lincoln and Town of Lenox, associated water distribution mains and an interconnection from the Onondaga County Water Authority.
• Village of Menands, Albany County - $2,094,120 short-term market-rate financing and $2,954,880 WIIA grant for the replacement of approximately 12,250 linear feet of water main in the South End neighborhood.
• Village of Sands Point, Nassau County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant for the installation of a new GAC treatment system for Wells 2A and 5A.
• Suffolk County Water Authority, Suffolk County - $2,701,692 IMG grant for the construction of approximately 20,000 feet of water mains to extend water service to 64 homes on Halsey Manor Road, beginning at Country Route 111 and extending north to Mill Road, then east to Doe Run, Primrose Path and associated side streets in Manorville, Town of Brookhaven.
• Water Authority of Great Neck North, Nassau County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant for the installation of an AOP treatment system for the removal of 1,4-dioxane, and a GAC treatment system to remove PFOA.

About the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the State Revolving Funds (SRF)

EFC is New York State's water infrastructure bank and has funded some of the largest infrastructure projects in the state. EFC administers the largest SRFs in the nation, having provided over $44 billion in low-cost financial assistance to communities for critical drinking water and sewer projects since 1990. Dollars for these financial assistance programs are generated by annual federal capitalization grants, state match, repayments from local governments, and proactive financial management by EFC. When communities repay their financings, it allows EFC to finance new projects and the funds "revolve" and grow over time.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality and Current Funding Opportunities

New York State's nation-leading investment in clean water infrastructure totals $5 billion since 2017. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the 2023-24 Enacted Budget includes the $500 million in clean water funding. The Governor launched Community Assistance Teams this year to expand EFC's technical assistance program and help small, rural, and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding to address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community that needs help with their water infrastructure needs is encouraged to contact EFC at efc.ny.gov/CAT.

EFC is accepting applications until July 28 for the next round of WIIA/IMG grant funding totaling $425 million. This round of funding is available through existing state resources and the first spending under the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which specifically named EFC's grant programs as tools for leveraging funding for water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure.

The Bond Act is advancing 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, and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. Disadvantaged Communities will receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of Bond Act funding, with a goal of 40 percent.

New York State is hosting on-site and virtual listening sessions for communities to learn more about Bond Act funding opportunities and to weigh in on the draft eligibility guidelines being developed to identify potential projects. Go to the Bond Act website to learn more and register for upcoming sessions.

Additional water quality grant funding is available through Round 13 of the Governor's Consolidated Funding Application. This includes EFC's Green Innovation and Engineering Planning Grant programs, and DEC's Water Quality Improvement Project program. The CFA application deadline is July 28.