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. Short-term funding and grants previously announced and approved by EFC’s Board of Directors will provide capital to local governments to help them get started on critical projects. Council also approved several long-term financing conversions that provide interest relief for existing projects and reduce municipal debt.

Among the announced project funding, more than $650 million in financial assistance will help the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority make improvements to several of the city’s water pollution control plants. Nearly $6 million in grants and funding will help the town of Elmira, Chemung County, replace lead drinking water pipes, and $2.75 million in grant and funding will help upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in the village of Cobleskill in Schoharie County.

“Every community in New York deserves access to clean water, which is why investing in clean water infrastructure is a top priority, Governor Hochul noted. “With increased funding for the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and a historic investment in clean water initiatives in my Executive Budget, we will work 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 further underscored by another significant investment in water infrastructure projects. EFC is pleased to provide cost-effective solutions to local governments through 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 crucial step in the state’s ongoing efforts to provide communities with the resources needed to provide access to safe drinking water and make critical improvements to wastewater treatment to protect public health and the environment.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said“From addressing newly regulated emerging contaminants that threaten drinking water quality to ensuring proper disposal of wastewater, these fiscal commitments will benefit the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. We are happy to be able to support these communities as they work to upgrade and modernize outdated water supply systems and septic systems.”

Board approvals include funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants under the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA). Visit EFCs website to find out more about financing possibilities for water infrastructure.

EFC is urging municipalities to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Watershed Needs Survey (CWNS), which EFC launched in New York on March 1. Participation is critical because it can affect the amount of federal CWSRF funding that will be allocated to York State to fund future drinking water infrastructure projects. Municipalities are encouraged to document their community’s wastewater infrastructure needs for submission to the EPA. Go to www.efc.ny.gov/needs to submit documentation and to obtain resources to assist with submissions.

Clean Water Project Funding Approved:

  • New York City Municipal Water Financing Authority – $657,949,860 in short-term financing at market rates 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 the design and construction of the Overflow Reduction and Flood Mitigation Project of Beaver Creek Sewershed.
  • Town of Caneadea in Allegany County – $800,000 in interest-free short-term financing and $1,000,000 in market-rate short-term financing to plan, design and construct a disinfection system at the treatment plant city ​​wastewater.
  • Village of Cobleskill in Schoharie County – $2,025,000 in interest-free short-term financing and a $747,250 WIIA grant for sewage treatment plant and collection system upgrades.
  • City of New Baltimore in Greene County – $1,875,733 in interest-free long-term financing and a $111,712 WIIA grant for sewer system upgrades.
  • Town of Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County – $20,000,000 in interest-free long-term financing for the design and construction of upgrades to the sewage treatment plant and pump station.

Financing of the drinking water project approved:

  • Town of Elmira in Chemung County – $2,870,789 in short-term financing at market rate and $3,000,000 WIIA grant to replace lead service lines and meters, replace transmission main of the 30-inch reservoir, 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 have had funding approved for a joint project to install approximately 51,000 linear feet of water main, new storage tanks and pump stations at the connection to the city of Syracuse and of Hamilton Road, a new chlorine booster station on Jordan Road, replacement and relocation of an existing confined space pumping station and consolidation of the public water system at Champions Mobile Home Park.
    • 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 interest-free short-term financing and a DWSRF grant of $3,000,000.

  • City 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 lines, a pump station and a finished water storage reservoir to interconnect with the Highway 12 Watershed District town of Alexandria.
  • Town of Stark in Herkimer County – $814,467 in interest-free long-term financing and a $128,626 WIIA grant to develop new well sources, new finished water storage tank, replace old water pipes water 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 underground water source capacity, replacement of aging water pipes and meters, and rehabilitation of the existing water storage tank.

Governor Hochul’s FY2023 Executive Budget builds on previous commitments by proposing more than half a billion dollars in direct investments in clean water initiatives, including:

  • $500 million in funding for clean water infrastructure, bringing the state’s total investment in clean water to $4.5 billion since 2017.
  • $400 million – a record level of funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) – to support critical projects that aim to mitigate the effects of climate change, improve agricultural resources, protect water sources water, advance conservation efforts and provide recreational opportunities.
  • $4 billion for the landmark Environmental Bond Act for clean water, clean air and green jobs. If approved by voters this fall, this landmark initiative will provide the support New York State needs to restore critical environmental habitats; reduce the risk of flooding; retain additional land and open space; protect and improve our water resources; and invest in climate change mitigation projects that will reduce pollution and carbon emissions.

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