New York releases $300 million to upgrade water systems

New York’s Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved over $300 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects throughout the state. Municipalities will be able to access low-cost financing and previously announced grants, allowing them to start work on essential water and sewer infrastructure projects, including treatment processes to eliminate emerging contaminants from drinking water.

“New York State is providing major financial assistance to ensure our communities can invest in their water infrastructure to protect our vital natural resources, while reducing costs and making these projects affordable for the ratepayers who rely on them for safe drinking water,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

The funds approved for 20 projects include substantial investments from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and the State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) grant program.

Notably, the City of Auburn in Cayuga County has been approved to receive over $91 million from BIL and WIIA for overdue upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which was built in 1935. This project will modernize outdated systems, enhance water quality in the Great Lakes watershed and promote environmental justice in a disadvantaged community.

The board’s approval also includes financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and grants already announced pursuant to the WIIA program. BIL funding for water and sewer infrastructure is administered by EFC through the State Revolving Funds.

The board also took steps to ensure the long-term affordability of existing projects by approving $32 million in long-term, interest-free financing for projects in the towns of Clyde, Endicott, Gouverneur, Jasper, Malone, Orleans, Philadelphia, Rosendale and Sylvan Beach.

Short-term financing provides the capital needed for the design and construction of projects. Once construction is complete, these short-term loans are typically refinanced into long-term financing for up to 30 years, sharply reducing interest costs for municipalities compared to finding independent financing. Under current market conditions, local ratepayers are expected to save an estimated $41 million in interest payments.

Clean Water Projects

City of Auburn in Cayuga County – $25 million grant, $41.5 million interest-free financing and $16.5 million market-rate financing from BIL, as well as a $9 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of biosolid and wastewater process improvements at the city’s wastewater treatment plant to reduce combined sewer overflow events in the Great Lakes watershed.
Village of Broadalbin in Fulton County – $220,625 interest-free and $220,625 market-rate CWSRF financing for the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plant effluent disinfection improve water quality in the Kennyetto Creek.
Village of Canisteo in Steuben County – $3.3 million interest-free and $1 million market-rate CWSRF financing; and a $1.1 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plant improvements to improve water quality in the Canisteo River.
Village of Gouverneur in St. Lawrence County – $292,250 BIL grant for the planning, design and construction of the second phase of collection system improvements to improve water quality in the Oswegatchie River.
City of Little Falls in Herkimer County – $3.6 million grant and $2.1 million interest-free financing from BIL; $1 million market-rate CWSRF financing; and $1.9 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plant upgrades to protect the water quality of the Mohawk River.
Village of Painted Post in Steuben County – $1.4 million interest-free and $455,206 market-rate CWSRF financing; as well as a $207,917 WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of improvements to the village’s wastewater treatment plant to protect water quality in the Chemung River.
Village of Port Leyden in Lewis County – $356,500 grant and $201,380 interest-free financing from BIL; $176,870 interest-free financing and $356,500 grant from the CWSRF; and a $178,250 WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of wastewater collection and treatment system improvements to improve the water quality of the Black River.
Town of Thompson in Sullivan County – $13 million grant and $14.4 million interest-free financing from BIL; $1 million market-rate CWSRF financing; and a $6.4 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of upgrades at the Kiamesha Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect water quality in Kiamesha Creek, a trout stream in the Delaware River Basin.
Village of Vernon in Oneida County – $10.4 million interest-free CWSRF financing and a $2.4 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of wastewater treatment plant upgrades to improve the water quality of Sconondoa Creek.
Westchester County – Funding for four projects:
- $13.5 million interest-free and $13.5 market-rate CWSRF financing; as well as a $2 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of engine and blower replacements at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect water quality in the Hudson River.
- $10.4 million interest-free and $10.4 million market-rate CWSRF financing; and $6.2 WIIA grant for phase IV heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment replacement, as well as odor control improvements at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect water quality in the Hudson River.
- $3.7 million interest-free and $3.7 million market-rate CWSRF financing for repairs and upgrades to the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant secondary system to protect water quality in the Hudson River.
- $3.8 million interest-free and $3.8 million market-rate CWSRF financing; and a $3 million WIIA grant for the planning, design and construction of sewer system repairs in the Peekskill, Ossining, Yonkers Joint, Blind Brook, Mamaroneck, and New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer Districts to protect water quality in the Hudson River and Long Island Sound.

Drinking Water Projects

City of Batavia in Genesee County – $2.2 million WIIA grant for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant to improve operation, maintenance and water quality.
Village of Bath in Steuben County – $6 million market-rate DWSRF financing and a $3 million WIIA grant for the installation of roughly 18,000 feet of new and replacement water main and associated infrastructure along State Routes 54 and 415 that will enable the village to provide an adequate supply of water to residents and improve the resilience and security of the existing system.
Village of Garden City in Nassau County – $3 million WIIA grant for the construction of a new advanced oxidation process treatment system that will improve water quality and supply.
City of Gloversville in Fulton County – $750,334 interest-free and $1.5 million market-rate DWSRF financing; and a $3 million WIIA grant for the construction of a new booster pump station, installation of new isolation valves and pressure relief valves along the transmission main, and replacement of treatment systems at the water treatment plant to modernize systems and improve water quality.
Jericho Water District in Nassau County – $6.9 million WIIA grant for the installation of an advanced oxidation process treatment system for the removal of chemicals and a granular activated carbon treatment system to remove PFOA and improve water quality.
Town of Tusten in Sullivan County – $4.5million market-rate DWSRF financing and a $3 million WIIA grant for the replacement of a 200,000-gallon water storage tank with a 250,000-gallon water storage tank, improvements to well facilities, replacement of water mains and associated infrastructure, and installation of a booster pump station and automatic flushing stations to address the town’s aging water system and allow the town to continue providing its residents with reliable drinking water.
Water Authority of Western Nassau County – $5 million WIIA grant for the installation of a granular activated carbon treatment system to remove PFAS and improve water quality.

Photo by Bob Brewer on Unsplash