Governor Hochul awards $232 million for water infrastructure projects across New York

Governor Kathy Hochul has authorized more than $232 million to seven municipalities for drinking water and sewer infrastructure projects across New York, the governor announced last week. The previously announced grants and low-cost financing packages approved by the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation board of directors will support water infrastructure projects totaling more than $763 million.

"In far too many communities, critical water infrastructure has been left to fall into disrepair, but here in New York we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "This $232 million infrastructure investment for wastewater treatment and public water systems will help our partners in local government make substantial investments to improve water infrastructure and furthers the State's commitment to improving water quality today and far into the future - creating a healthier, more prosperous New York for generations to come." 

The financial assistance approved by the board includes short-term financings and previously announced grants that 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.

So far, approximately $200 million in interest-free financing has been approved for three wastewater treatment plant projects in Long Island that improve resiliency and water quality. 

The Board's approvals include financings through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants already announced pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) program.

The city of Kingston in Ulster County received $6,184,958 in short-term, interest-free financing and a $1,975,000 WIIA grant for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. 

Nassau County was awarded $47,500,000 in short-term, interest-free financing, $47,500,000 in short-term, market-rate financing and $26,812,500 in long-term, interest-free financing to plan, design and construct effluent flow diversions from the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant to the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant. The project will provide resiliency, flood mitigation, and improve water quality in Reynolds Channel.

The Village of Lowville in Lewis County received $10,809,000 in long-term, interest-free financing to rehabilitate deteriorated sanitary sewers and to install a new stormwater collection and conveyance system.

Suffolk County won $81,624,796 in long-term, interest-free financing to replace the effluent outfall that extends from the Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Jones Beach barrier island beneath the Great South Bay.

Additionally, the Village of Vernon in Oneida County received $5,212,500 in financing as well as a $750,000 WIIA grant to design and construct wastewater treatment plant improvements. 

Other awards included the Village of South Dayton in Cattaraugus County, which was awarded $1.4 million in financing and a $1.8 million grant from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for well source improvements, groundwater treatment improvements, treatment tank rehabilitation, replacement of approximately 4,200 feet of distribution mains and the replacement of approximately 250 water meters.

The Village of Philadelphia in Jefferson County also received a $683,400 WIIA grant to construct a water treatment building, to connect and improve a groundwater production well, and water main installation. 

New York continues to increase investments in clean water infrastructure projects. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the 2022-23 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. 

In addition, the budget included another $500 million in clean water infrastructure funding, bringing the state's total clean water investment to $4.5 billion since 2017. It also 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.

 

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