Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $70 Million to Fund Water Infrastructure Projects Across New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved nearly $70 million to help 11 municipalities advance critical infrastructure projects that protect or improve water quality. The short-term financings and previously announced grants approved by the EFC Board of Directors will provide capital to local governments to help get shovels in the ground for critical projects. The board also approved various long-term financing conversions that provide interest relief for completed projects and help reduce debt for municipalities.

Of the project funding announced today, nearly $40 million in financial assistance will support a $352 million project for Oneida County in the Mohawk Valley to upgrade a water pollution control plant and pump stations.

"By investing in improving our state's water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity while protecting our natural resources," Governor Hochul said. "This funding helps ensure that cost will not be a barrier as communities across the state continue to modernize treatment systems with vital infrastructure upgrades - helping usher in a greener, healthier future for New York."

Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "Governor Hochul is moving the State forward by getting funding and resources into the hands of these local communities to help them upgrade and maintain critical water and sewer systems. Several of the approved projects were jumpstarted with grants from EFC to develop an engineering report. Thanks to Governor Hochul, up to $3 million is currently available through the Consolidated Funding Application for this round of Engineering Planning Grant funding. EFC encourages municipalities that are planning their water quality infrastructure projects to take advantage of this opportunity by applying."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Governor Hochul's ongoing commitments to upgrade and improve water infrastructure are building stronger and healthier communities and creating jobs across the state. With this funding, we are sending a strong message to all New York municipalities that we will continue to make water infrastructure improvements a priority to ensure communities have the resources they need to replace and modernize aging water systems and improve water quality."

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "Investments that expand access to clean water for New York communities—while protecting our environment from wastewater—are critical components of the State's efforts to promote healthy environments and protect public health. I thank the Governor for her commitment to strengthening New York's water infrastructure, and I look forward to the Department of Health's continued partnership with the Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Department of Environmental Conservation on this critical work."

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "Water infrastructure is the cornerstone of sustainable community development. Governor Hochul's wise infrastructure investments support local economies, provide recreational opportunities, sustain fish and wildlife habitats, and enrich our everyday experiences. These investments will ensure that generations of New Yorkers will enjoy safe drinking water and a clean environment, while also contributing to community revitalization and relieving some of the fiscal pressures on local governments."

Senator Charles Schumer said, "I am proud to have delivered the federal funds for these projects across New York from critical upgrades to the water pollution control plant in Oneida County to cleaner drinking water on Long Island. These federal dollars will go directly to protecting the public health of New York families, and I will continue to fight tooth and nail to keep our water systems flowing, jobs growing, and New Yorkers safe and healthy."

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney said, "No form of infrastructure has a more direct impact on the health of our communities than our water systems. That's why I fought to deliver funding for clean water infrastructure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With these investments, our state can address aging water systems and ensure access to safe water for all New Yorkers. I am thrilled to join Governor Hochul in announcing these funds for Middletown and other communities across our state that need additional support to replace their water systems and deliver clean water for their residents."

Representative Kathleen Rice said, "Bolstering Long Island's water infrastructure and protecting my constituents from harmful contaminants has been one of my top priorities during my time in Congress. I am ecstatic to see that Garden City will receive more than $3.6 million to install state of the art equipment to treat emerging contaminants in the Village's water treatment facility. Thank you to Governor Hochul for prioritizing our health and protecting our drinking water."

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

Clean Water Project Funding Approved:

• Oneida County - $15,000,000 in short-term, interest-free hardship financing, $12,392,233 in short-term, interest-free financing and $12,392,232 in short-term, market-rate financing to plan, design and construct upgrades at the county's water pollution control plant and the Sauquoit Creek and Barnes Avenue Pump Stations.
• Town of Catskill in Greene County - $10,191,205 in long-term, interest-free financing to plan, design and construct a wastewater collection and conveyance system to serve the newly formed Leeds and Jefferson Heights Sewer District, and to install mechanical screening at the village-owned wastewater treatment plant. A $3.15 million WIIA grant was previously authorized for this project.
• Village of Depew in Erie County - $729,875 in short-term, interest-free financing, $1,729,875 in short-term, market-rate financing and a $453,250 WIIA grant for sanitary sewer improvements to reduce inflow and infiltration in the village's collection system.
• Town of Dryden in Tompkins County - $3,063,000 in short-term, interest-free financing for collection system improvements in the Hamlet of Varna.
• Village of Gouverneur in St. Lawrence County - $950,000 in short-term, interest-free financing and a $182,750 CWSRF grant for Phase II of the Dorwin Street Sewer project.
• Town of Rockland in Sullivan County - $264,990 in short-term, interest-free financing and $41,260 WIIA grant for a chlorine disinfection system at the Roscoe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Village of Marcellus in Onondaga County - $4,347,276 in long-term, interest-free financing for upgrades at the village's wastewater treatment plant.
• City of Middletown in Orange County - $2,258,863 in long-term, interest-free financing and a $359,284 CWSRF grant for pump replacement.

Drinking Water Project Funding Approved:

• Village of Garden City in Nassau County - $3,653,794 WIIA grant to install Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) equipment to treat emerging contaminants at the water treatment facility.
• Town of Malone in Franklin County - $900,000 in short-term, market-rate financing for emergency watermain replacement work along Route 11 in the West Side Water District.
• Village of Dering Harbor in Suffolk County - $451,504 in long-term, interest-free financing to construct a new 100,000-gallon storage tank and install back-up power supply to operate wells during power outages.

Call for Applications for Green Infrastructure and Engineering Planning Grants

The application period is open for the EFC's Green Innovation Grant (GIGP) and Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) programs. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the available funding through the launch of Round 12 of the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).

As part of Round 12, EFC announces the availability of up to $15 million for GIGP and $3 million for EPG. Applications must be submitted through the CFA website no later than Friday, July 29 at 4 p.m.

Green Innovation grants are awarded to projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of green practices, including green stormwater infrastructure, energy efficiency, water efficiency and environmental innovation.

Engineering Planning Grants help eligible communities start the critical planning process so they can be better prepared to seek financing to help them complete their sewer infrastructure projects. Grants of up to $100,000 are available to develop an engineering report that identifies water quality problems and potential solutions.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York continues to increase investments in clean water infrastructure projects. Governor Hochul in April announced $638 million was awarded to communities statewide to fund clean water infrastructure projects through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs.

Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the Enacted Budget authorizes an additional $1.2 billion, for a total of $4.2 billion, for the landmark Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. This historic initiative, to be taken up by voters later this year, would update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality; reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions; restore habitats; strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding; 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.

In addition to the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, the Budget includes a record $400 million Environmental Protection Fund to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improve agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protect our water sources, advance conservation efforts, and provide recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. The budget also included another $500 million in clean water infrastructure funding, bringing the State's total clean water investment to $4.5 billion since 2017.

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 which EFC kicked off in New York on March 1. Participation is critical as it may impact how much federal CWSRF 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 submission to the EPA. Go to https://efc.ny.gov/needs to submit documentation and for resources to assist with submissions.