The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has opened more than $78 million in competitive grant funding for projects that protect and improve water quality across the state.
The money is split between two programs, with at least $75 million flowing through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) and up to $3 million through the Non-Agriculture Nonpoint Source and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Planning Grant (NPG) program.
WQIP is a statewide reimbursement program that funds projects tied directly to cleaner water, habitat restoration, flood risk reduction, climate resiliency and drinking water protection. Several project types are eligible for funds this year, including:
- Wastewater treatment improvements, including combined sewer overflow abatement.
- Non-agricultural nonpoint source pollution abatement and control, including green infrastructure.
- Vacuum trucks for municipal separate storm sewer systems.
- Land acquisition to protect drinking water sources.
- Salt storage and road salt reduction practices.
- Dam safety repair, rehabilitation and removal.
- Aquatic connectivity.
- Marine District habitat restoration.
- Fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement.
- Landfill leachate treatment.
Individual WQIP awards range up to $15 million, depending on project type and the population served. Eligible applicants include municipalities, tribal nations, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and nonprofit corporations.
The WQIP funding pool draws from several sources, including the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) and federal funding earmarked for the Long Island Sound and Lake Champlain watersheds.
The smaller NPG program covers early planning work rather than physical construction. It funds tasks such as stormwater system mapping, culvert replacement studies and stormwater management planning in urban areas. Awards under this program generally range from $50,000 to $400,000 depending on the category.
This funding round continues a trend of state investment in water infrastructure. Earlier this year, WQIP directed more than $200 million toward related infrastructure work, while the enacted 2026-27 state budget carries a $750 million one-year commitment to clean water. That figure includes $525 million through CWIA, $175 million for water projects that support housing development and $50 million for similar work in rural communities.
The grants reach applicants through the Consolidated Funding Application, the state’s single online portal for economic development resources. Applications for this funding round are due by July 31.
Photo by Michał Robak from Pexels
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