Governor Hochul Announces $725 Million to Fund Water Infrastructure Projects

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved more than $725 million in financial assistance to help 13 municipalities and public authorities 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 them get shovels in the ground for critical projects. The board also approved several long-term financing conversions that provide interest relief for existing projects and reduce debt for municipalities.

Of the project financings announced, more than $650 million in financial assistance will help the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority make improvements at several of the city's water pollution control plants. Nearly $6 million in grants and financing will help the City of Elmira in Chemung County to replace lead drinking water pipes, and a $2.75 million grant and financing package will help improve the Village of Cobleskill's wastewater treatment plant in Schoharie County.

"Every single community in New York deserves access to clean water, which is why investing in clean water infrastructure is a top priority," Governor Hochul said. "With a surge in funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and historic investment in clean water initiatives in my Executive Budget, we will work together with local governments to modernize New York's water infrastructure to protect public health and the environment and help ensure a robust economy."

Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "Governor Hochul's commitment to meeting New York's water quality goals is underscored once again with another significant investment in water infrastructure projects. EFC is pleased to provide cost-effective solutions for local governments through the State Revolving Funds and state water grants."

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Since Governor Hochul took office, she has made protecting New York's water quality one of her top priorities. Working with more than a dozen municipalities and public authorities is a critical milestone in the State's ongoing efforts to provide communities with the resources necessary to provide access to clean drinking water and make critical wastewater treatment improvements to protect public health and the environment."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "From treating newly-regulated emerging contaminants that threaten drinking water quality, to ensuring the proper wastewater removal, these fiscal commitments will benefit the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. We are pleased to be able to support these communities as they 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 pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA). Visit EFC's website to learn more about water infrastructure funding opportunities.

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 CWSRF funding 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.

Clean Water Project Funding Approved:

• New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority - $657,949,860 in short-term market-rate financing to design and construct various improvements at several of the city's water pollution control plants.
• Albany Municipal Water Finance Authority in Albany County - $4,407,496 in long-term, interest-free financing and a $277,498 WIIA grant for design and construction of the Beaver Creek Sewershed Overflow Abatement and Flood Mitigation Project.
• Town of Caneadea in Allegany County - $800,000 in short-term, interest-free financing and $1,000,000 in short-term, market rate financing to plan, design and construct a disinfection system at the town's wastewater treatment plant.
• Village of Cobleskill in Schoharie County - $2,025,000 in short-term, interest-free financing and a $747,250 WIIA grant for wastewater treatment plant and collection system improvements.
• Town of New Baltimore in Greene County - $1,875,733 in long-term, interest-free financing and a $111,712 WIIA grant for wastewater system upgrades.
• City of Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County - $20,000,000 in long-term, interest-free financing to design and construct wastewater treatment plant and pump station improvements.

Drinking Water Project Funding Approved:

• City of Elmira in Chemung County - $2,870,789 in short-term, market rate financing and a $3,000,000 WIIA grant to replace lead service lines and meters, replace the 30-inch reservoir transmission main, reline the Harmon Street Chemung River Crossing, and replace the Madison Avenue Chemung River Crossing and Water Street distribution/transmission main.
• Three municipalities in Onondaga County had funding approved for a joint project to install approximately 51,000 linear feet of watermain, new storage tanks and pump stations at the City of Syracuse connection and Hamilton Road, a new chlorine booster station on Jordan Road, replace and relocate an existing confined space pump station and consolidate of the Champions Mobile Home Park public water system.
  • Town of Elbridge $2,686,259 in short-term, interest free financing and $5,372,516 in short-term, market rate financing for the town.
  • Village of Elbridge $1,748,602 in short-term, interest free financing and $3,497,204 in short-term, market rate financing for the village.
  • Village of Jordan - $2,697,199 in short-term, interest free financing and a $3,000,000 DWSRF grant.
• Town of Orleans in Jefferson County - $7,313,141 in long-term, interest-free financing and a $420,351 WIIA grant to create the NYS Route 12 Water District and install new distribution mains, a pump station and a finished water storage tank to interconnect with the Town of Alexandria Route 12 Water District.
• Town of Stark in Herkimer County - $814,467 in long-term, interest-free financing and a $128,626 WIIA grant to develop new well sources, a new finished water storage tank, replace aged water mains and add new water meters.
• Village of Tannersville in Greene County - $2,249,788 in long-term, interest-free financing and a $534,835 WIIA grant to rehabilitate the existing water treatment plant, arsenic removal treatment for the Rip Van Winkle Well, additional groundwater source capacity, replace aged water mains and meters, and rehabilitation the existing water storage tank.

Governor Hochul's FY 2023 Executive Budget builds upon earlier commitments by proposing more than half a billion dollars in direct investment into clean water initiatives, including:

• $500 million in clean water infrastructure funding, bringing the State's total clean water investment to $4.5 billion since 2017.
• $400 million - a record level of funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) - to support critical projects that work to mitigate the effects of climate change, improve agricultural resources, protect water sources, advance conservation efforts and provide recreational opportunities.
• $4 billion for the landmark Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. If approved by voters this fall, this historic initiative will provide the support New York State needs to restore critical environmental habitats; reduce flood risks; conserve additional lands and open spaces; protect and improve our water resources; and invest in climate change mitigation projects that will reduce pollution and lower carbon emissions.