New York Invests $44 Million for Clean Water Infrastructure
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved more than $44 million for drinking water and wastewater projects across New York State. The funding includes grants, interest-free financings, and low-cost financings, approved by the EFC Board of Directors. This will provide cost-effective solutions for critical infrastructure projects across the state that protect or improve water quality.
“One of the most important things to keeping a community strong and resilient is access to clean water. By ensuring our local partners have the resources they need to invest in critical water projects, we can bolster the public health in our state, and lay the foundation for growth and economic development,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding will help local governments make critical upgrades to key infrastructure, like wastewater collection systems, drinking water mains and water storage tanks, helping to protect water quality for New Yorkers for generations to come.”
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, “In the face of our changing climate and more frequent and severe storms, New York’s aging drinking and wastewater systems are being challenged like never before. Governor Hochul understands the fiscal challenges local governments face in making necessary upgrades to water infrastructure and has made supporting their efforts a top priority. Today’s announcement of more than $44 million in grants and low-cost financing through New York’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds and the Clean Water infrastructure Act will help local governments implement major infrastructure projects critical to protecting and improving water quality. DEC is proud to partner with the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation and communities across the state to help strengthen New York’s water infrastructure systems. The Board of Directors welcomes EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman, as she continues EFC’s mission to help communities with critical water infrastructure needs across New York State.”
EFC President and CEO Maureen Coleman said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to provide unprecedented support to help communities improve water quality as shown with her recent announcement of providing $400 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvement grants available to local communities. By approving funding to local governments for critical water infrastructure work, the EFC Board of Directors has ensured that communities statewide can cost-effectively undertake important projects that help protect our precious water resources. We are pleased to partner with the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Health, and local governments as we work together to strengthen and modernize New York’s aging water infrastructure systems.”
Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “New York’s continued commitment to fund drinking water upgrades and other clean water initiatives is making a lasting impact on the health of communities statewide. Water systems are doing the work now to shore up outdated infrastructure that will ensure residents’ access to quality drinking water long into the future.”
The Board’s approval includes financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.
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