New York announces $19M for drinking water infrastructure projects

New York State officials have announced over $19 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects.

The funding comes as part of an announcement that the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors had approved over $70 million low-cost financing and previously announced grants, authorizing municipal access to the capital for drinking water and sewer projects. The Board also approved low-cost long-term financing for five completed projects, providing debt relief through lower interest rates than if the municipalities borrowed on their own.

"New York State is committed to providing communities with the resources needed to take action on critical water infrastructure projects that prevent exposure and health risks," said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. "The grants and financings approved by the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board will leverage even greater local investments to help ensure our communities in every corner of New York have access to clean, safe water."

Highlights of the funding approved include grants to treat emerging contaminants above the state-determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). This includes grants totaling $16.2 million to the Suffolk County Water Authority for 11 drinking water projects as well as a $2 million grant to the Manhasset Lakeville Water District in Nassau County.

The announced funding will support the following drinking water infrastructure projects:

• Suffolk County Water Authority — 11 Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grants totaling $16,200,000 for the construction of new advanced oxidation process systems to remove 1,4-dioxane at multiple well fields.
• Manhasset Lakeville Water District in Nassau County  — $2,058,600 WIIA grant for the installation of a granular activated carbon system for the removal of perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at the Willets Well.
• Town of Bedford in Westchester County — $841,050 WIIA grant for the construction of a control building, chlorination injection system, water main connection and electrical service in addition to two new supply wells for the Farms and Old Post Road Water Districts.
• Village of Brocton in Chautauqua County — $395,520 short-term market-rate financing and $605,280 WIIA grant to replace approximately 3,400 linear feet of 8-inch watermain on Central Avenue.