Governor Announces Over $40M Investment in Infrastructure, Including First NY Drinking Water Project Funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $40.3 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects, including the first drinking water project in New York State to receive infrastructure funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Albany. The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved low-cost financing and previously announced grants, authorizing municipal access to the capital needed to get shovels in the ground for vital drinking water and sewer projects that reduce potential risks to public health and the environment.

"Communities need financial support to help them undertake critical water infrastructure improvement projects, and that's why I prioritized a $500 million investment in clean water infrastructure in my Executive Budget," Governor Hochul said. "The funding announced today will help municipalities modernize their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and improve water quality and public health in their communities."

The Albany Municipal Water Finance Authority will receive the first funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for drinking water infrastructure in New York State. Approved Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the authority includes a $1.27 million grant and $1.83 million short-term interest free financing. This funding is in addition to a $3 million state water grant. The funding will be used to modernize aging infrastructure at three facilities in the Albany Water System, including the Feura Bush Filtration Plant, the Pine Bush Pump Station, and the Loudonville Reservoir.

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 program. Funding for water infrastructure from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is administered by EFC through the State Revolving Fund programs. Governor Hochul announced funding for the first clean water infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO, Maureen A. Coleman said, "The grants and financings approved today by the EFC Board will help make these projects affordable and help ensure that financial barriers don't prevent communities from undertaking vital projects that protect public health and the environment. EFC thanks Governor Hochul, President Biden, and our Congressional partners for prioritizing investment in water infrastructure. EFC is committed to delivering these resources to the communities that need it most and will continue providing unparalleled support to help them access state and federal funding."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation Board Chair, Basil Seggos said, "Ensuring clean drinking water remains a top priority and New York is fortunate to have the leadership of Governor Hochul, President Biden, U.S. EPA Administrator Regan, and our state's Congressional delegation working together to advance strategic investments that protect water quality. DEC is excited to see the Albany project and many others move forward with the support of the state and federal resources that are creating jobs, benefiting communities, and protecting New Yorkers."

Acting New York State Health Department Commissioner James McDonald said, "Water is essential to life and living for all New Yorkers, so we continue to enhance our investments in clean water infrastructure. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law announced today will assist in modernizing drinking water infrastructure in Albany when combined with our State's nation-leading water quality initiatives. I am thankful to Governor Hochul for including $500 million in funding for clean water infrastructure in her Executive Budget, increasing New York's total investment in clean water infrastructure to $5 billion."

New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "New York State continues to make unprecedented investments in clean water infrastructure, which is the essential foundation for healthy, resilient and sustainable communities. These financial investments will help communities across the Empire State upgrade their water infrastructure, protect systems from toxic contaminants, and boost access to clean water. This announcement underscores Governor Hochul's commitment to work with our partners in the federal government to enhance the lives of New Yorkers for generations to come."

EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said, "Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, this unprecedented funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is ensuring essential infrastructure upgrades to communities that need the financial support the most. New York is a key partner in these efforts to deliver on environmental equity."

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "The funds are flowing from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act to ensure safe clean drinking water for families and communities across New York. This $40+ million investment will upgrade water and sewer systems in every corner the Empire State from Cattaraugus to Albany to Nassau County. It also means jobs, jobs, jobs, uplifting our communities with long overdue projects to make New York's waters healthier and cleaner. I am proud to deliver this historic federal investment to turn the tide on New York's aging water infrastructure."

Representative Paul Tonko said, "Every family deserves access to clean drinking water. That's why I've been raising awareness about the aging water infrastructure in the Capital Region and working to pass legislation to fix it. These new investments in Albany's hidden infrastructure are a direct result of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, creating jobs while ensuring Albany residents continue to have access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water."

Clean Water Project Funding Approved

1. Albany Municipal Water Finance Authority - $725,000 WIIA grant for sanitary sewer system upgrades to mitigate combined sewer overflows in the City of Albany.
2. Town of Gorham in Ontario County - $135,825 short-term interest-free financing, $673,625 short-term market-rate financing and $90,550 WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of an effluent disinfection system at the town's wastewater treatment facility.
3. Town of Harrison in Westchester County - $1,750,000 WIIA grant to survey and rehabilitate the town's wastewater collection system to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows to Long Island Sound.

Drinking Water Project Funding Approved

1. Albany Municipal Water Finance Authority - $1,830,000 short-term interest-free financing, and $1,270,000 grant, from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and $3,000,000 WIIA grant to modernize aging infrastructure at the Feura Bush Filtration Plant, the Pine Bush Pump Station, and the Loudonville Reservoir.
2. Town of Ellicottville in Cattaraugus County - $1,333,334 short-term interest-free financing, $2,666,666 short-term market-rate financing, and $3,000,000 WIIA grant to install back-up power generators at all wells and booster pump stations, replace two water storage tanks and aged transmission and distribution mains, and to make software and safety improvements.
3. Village of Garden City in Nassau County - $5,336,304 WIIA grant to install new equipment at the Clinton Road Plant for the treatment of emerging contaminants.
4. Town of Gorham in Ontario County - $4,971,000 short-term market-rate financing and $3,000,000 WIIA grant to upgrade the existing water treatment facility to an ultrafiltration plant with GAC filtration to ensure proper treatment of source water to address Harmful Algae Blooms, PFOA/PFOS and high turbidity.
5. Jericho Water District in Nassau County - $3,000,000 WIIA grant to construct a packed tower aeration system to treat concentrations of Freon-22 at Wells No. 6 and 16 to below the maximum contaminant level.
6. Town of New Haven in Oswego County - $925,000 WIIA grant to install approximately 46,200 feet of 8-inch water main to connect the Town of New Haven to the Town of Scriba and extend service to 101 properties currently on residential wells. Hydrants, gate valves, and service meters will also be installed.
7. Plainview Water District in Nassau County - $5,399,226 WIIA grant to install new equipment at Plant No. 7 for the treatment of emerging contaminants.
8. Town of Warrensburg in Warren County - $496,700 short-term market-rate financing and $745,050 WIIA grant to replace the 12-inch transmission main that connects the water storage tank to the distribution system, and replace the isolation valve and valve vault.

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York continues to increase its investments in clean water infrastructure. Most recently, in her 2023 Executive Budget proposal, Governor Hochul committed to invest an additional $500 million in clean water funding, bringing New York's total clean water infrastructure investment to $5 billion. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, Community Assistance Teams will provide proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs.

In addition, with voter approval of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, there are additional, 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; 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.