Governor Hochul Announces $638 Million in Grants for Water Infrastructure Improvements Across New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the state Environmental Facilities Corporation has awarded $638 million in grants to municipalities and public authorities for 199 water infrastructure projects across the state that protect public health or improve water quality. Nearly $601 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grants and over $37 million in additional federal subsidies will support approximately $1.6 billion in total infrastructure investment. The grants are projected to contribute over 35,000 jobs to New York's economy and save taxpayers an estimated $1.4 billion.

"Modernizing our state’s water infrastructure is critical to ensuring every New Yorker has access to clean drinking water,” Governor Hochul said. “Protecting the public health of New Yorkers will always be a top priority for my administration and this funding is a testament to that commitment. We will continue working collaboratively with every level of government to empower localities with the funding they need to improve water quality statewide.”

Today's announcement marks the largest-ever award of Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grants. The full list of awardees and project descriptions can be found on EFC’s website, where you may also view awards by region as well as an interactive map.

Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “This historic level of grant funding from EFC will provide transformational benefits for 151 communities as the State implements the water quality goals championed by Governor Hochul. Grants from EFC provide relief for taxpayers and help local governments get shovels in the ground for critical projects that protect public health and the environment, create jobs, and spur economic development. EFC is poised to support many more water quality infrastructure projects through the initiatives in the enacted State Budget and the infusion of federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation Board Chair Basil Seggos said, “New York State is making generational investments to help build more resilient communities that are better prepared to meet the challenges of climate change by supporting upgrades and improvements to water infrastructure in municipalities across the state. With Governor Hochul’s sustained commitment to safeguarding water quality, DEC is helping to advance projects essential to providing access to clean drinking water, protecting water supplies, and promoting continued economic growth.”

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "Replacing outdated infrastructure and implementing treatment for emerging contaminants in New York State's public drinking water systems are critical components of ensuring equity in public health. Communities that have born the brunt of decades-old industry pollution or historical neglect are utilizing these funds to help off-set project costs and tackle the larger issues of clean water delivery."

Highlights of the 199 Projects Funded in this Round of Grants Include:

More than $426 Million Awarded for Drinking Water Projects; Awards for Eligible Projects that Treat Emerging Contaminants Will Fund 60 Percent of Project Costs

More than $220 million has been awarded to improve drinking water systems and an additional $206 million to projects that treat emerging contaminants. Eligible projects that address emerging contaminants above the State determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) are being awarded 60% of net eligible project costs. Examples of these projects include:

• Averill Park Central School District (Capital Region) – $90,000 for the effective treatment of drinking water at Algonquin Middle School.
• City of Rochester (Finger Lakes) – $3 million to replace 1,110 lead service lines.
• Water Authority of Western Nassau County (Long Island) – $31 million for four projects to remove and treat emerging contaminants.

Over $139 Million Awarded for Wastewater Improvement Projects

Examples of these projects include:

• Chemung County (Southern Tier) – $25 million for a sewer district wastewater treatment plant consolidation project. The funding will support the county's efforts to combine two aging wastewater treatment plants and perform upgrades that will help meet state standards and improve the water quality by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus discharged to the Chemung River and Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
• City of Amsterdam (Mohawk Valley) – $4.3 million for a wastewater treatment plant improvement project.

Municipalities Awarded 50 Percent of Estimated Project Costs

Thirteen municipal projects (in the table below) have been awarded a 25 percent WIIA grant plus a 25 percent federal additional subsidy to fund 50 percent of the estimated project costs. This is made possible by awarding 25 percent in additional federal subsidies to these hardship communities that will receive interest-free financing for the remaining 50 percent of the project costs. The municipalities were chosen to receive the subsidy based on project eligibility, impacts on water quality and financial hardship.

Three additional hardship communities that are not receiving a WIIA award will receive a federal grant of 25 percent:

• Village of Gouverneur (North Country) – $182,750 to construct new sanitary sewers and new storm sewers to separate combined sewers.
• Village of Hoosick Falls (Capital Region) – $132,750 to install a disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant.
• Village of Port Leyden (North Country) – $356,500 to increase the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant to address excessive flows and install a disinfection system.

Two Projects Awarded Intermunicipal Grants

Intermunicipal Grants (IMG) were awarded to two projects for communities working together to improve water quality.

• Suffolk County Water Authority (Long Island) – $1.2 million for a water main extension project with Brookhaven.
• Genesee County (Finger Lakes) – $2.7 million for a water supply project with the Monroe County Water Authority.

Availability of Funds

Grant funds may be disbursed to awardees once certain conditions are met, including the execution of a grant agreement and approval by the EFC Board of Directors.

View Awards by Regional Economic Development Council

• Capital Region
• Central NY
• Finger Lakes
• Long Island
• Mid-Hudson
• Mohawk Valley
• North Country
• Southern Tier
• Western NY

Senator Charles Schumer said, “I am proud to have delivered the federal funds for these projects across New York from fixing our wastewater systems in Buffalo and Chemung County to replacing dangerous lead pipes in Rochester. Access to clean drinking water is a right, 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, “Infrastructure is more than roads and bridges; it’s making sure the water our kids are drinking is safe and clean. For years I have fought to increase funding for infrastructure improvements in Congress and I am proud that those federal funds are being put to such great use here in New York for twelve projects across our district including $11 million for Newburgh.”

Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “Ensuring a clean and healthy water system helps our communities thrive and survive. I commend Governor Hochul on today’s announcement allocating this funding to help bolster our state’s water infrastructure system, create jobs, support our state’s economy, and help improve water quality for millions of New Yorkers along the way.”

Representative Antonio Delgado said, “Cleaning up New York’s water and protecting our communities from harmful contaminants like PFAS has been a priority of mine since I began serving New York’s 19th Congressional District in Congress. I’m glad to see major investments in upstate New York’s water infrastructure which will help improve public health, contribute jobs to our economy, and save folks money. I will keep working to ensure all New Yorkers have access to clean drinking water.”

State Senator Todd Kaminsky said, “Having clean water is essential and this critical funding is part of the State’s commitment to help localities protect public health and improve water quality. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for ensuring that we continue this historic investment in our infrastructure.”

Assemblymember Steve Englebright said, “I am delighted with Governor Hochul’s announcement of funds for our local governments and to the Suffolk County water authority to provide safe, clean water for New Yorkers. These funds will continue to flow as a result of the new budget providing an additional $500 million investment in the Clean Water Infrastructure Act to helping local governments.”

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York continues to increase investments in clean water infrastructure projects. Governor Hochul in September announced the availability of $400 million to communities statewide to fund clean water infrastructure projects through the WIIA and IMG programs. Given the historic number of WIIA applications that were submitted, additional grant funds will be awarded.

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, will provide the support New York needs to provide safe water to drink, invest in critical water infrastructure, restore environmental habitats, reduce flood risks, and preserve our outdoor spaces and local farms. It will also enable investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation projects that will reduce air pollution, lower carbon emissions and improve the ability of New York communities to withstand the climate-driven increase in severe weather events and flooding. The Bond Act will also support a substantial investment in the Clean Green Schools initiative that will reach every public school located in a disadvantaged community.

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 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 submission to the EPA. Go to https://efc.ny.gov/needs to submit documentation and for resources to assist with submissions.

About EFC

The Environmental Facilities Corporation helps local governments and eligible organizations undertake their water infrastructure projects. EFC provides state and federal grants as well as interest-free and low-cost financing to help ensure projects are affordable while safeguarding essential water resources. EFC administers New York’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and federal and state grants in partnership with DEC and DOH. EFC uses multiple financing strategies to maximize the funding that can be made available to communities.