N.Y. opens $255M to emerging contaminants, wastewater projects

July 13, 2022
New York state officials have announced that $255 million is now available for projects that address emerging contaminants, critical wastewater projects, and septic systems replacement projects. Grant applications are due Sept. 9.

New York state officials have announced the availability of $255 million in state grants for critical water infrastructure projects that will protect public health and the environment through the State's Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA), Intermunicipal Grant (IMG), and State Septic System Replacement programs.

The announcement was made by Governor Kathy Hochul in Suffolk County, where $20 million from the State's Septic Replacement Program will help address more than 2,000 substandard or failing septic systems and cesspools that cause significant water quality impairments.

"Every New Yorker deserves access to safe, clean water and today's announcement represents the latest installment in the State's nation-leading investment to tackle emerging contaminants and protect residents and the environment from dangerous pollutants," Hochul said. "These strategic investments will make lifesaving improvements to our water infrastructure and safeguard drinking water for millions of people on Long Island. New York will continue to prioritize resources for projects that provide reliable, clean water for communities across the state while creating good-paying jobs and spurring economic development."

Grants Address Emerging Contaminants, Critical Wastewater Projects

The announcement includes $225 million in grants for municipalities to bolster New York's actions to protect drinking water supplies. This round of funding continues prioritizes grant awards for drinking water projects that address emerging contaminants or for critical wastewater projects.

Local units of government are eligible to apply for funding for:

  • WIIA grant awards that will fund up to 25 percent of an eligible wastewater project's total cost, up to $25 million.
  • WIIA grant awards that will fund 60 percent of net eligible project costs for projects that address emerging contaminants above the State determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with no cap on the total award.
  • WIIA grant awards for all other drinking water projects will be awarded up to 60 percent of net project costs up to a maximum of $5 million.
  • IMG awards that will fund up to 40 percent of an eligible wastewater or drinking water project for communities that share services, up to $30 million.

Grant applications and required supporting documentation must be submitted through EFC's website by 5 p.m. on September 9.

Septic System Replacement Program

An additional $30 million is now available through the State Septic System Replacement Program to support home and small business owners in the targeted replacement of aging and sub-standard septic systems and removal of cesspools in communities statewide.

The Septic Replacement Program improves water quality by encouraging and incentivizing homeowners' replacement of cesspools and failing or inadequate septic systems around a waterbody known to be impaired by septic system discharges. The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) will be providing detailed information about how to access the funding to counties with identified priority geographic areas.

New York State will provide funds to counties to reimburse eligible property owners for a portion of the cost of replacing cesspools and septic systems and installing more environmentally effective systems. Eligible property owners can be reimbursed 50 percent of eligible costs up to $10,000. Counties may also set graduated incentive reimbursement rates for septic system projects to maximize program participation and pollution reduction goals.

A list of eligible counties and priority geographic areas within those counties is available on EFC's website at https://efc.ny.gov/septic-replacement.

Other  Water Quality Grants Available

Governor Hochul recently announced funding is available through the State's Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/. The application is available through July 29, 2022.

Available funding includes the 18th round of the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Grant Program. This year, at least $75 million is available to help improve or protect water quality, restore aquatic connectivity in streams, combat harmful algal blooms, and upgrade aging wastewater infrastructure.

Six different project types are available for funding, including Wastewater Treatment Improvement, Non-agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control, Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection, Salt Storage, Aquatic Connectivity Restoration, and Marine District Habitat Restoration.

Municipalities and Soil and Water Conservation Districts are eligible to apply for all project types; not-for profits are eligible for select project types and grants range from $500,000 to $10 million depending on the project type.

Available CFA funding also includes the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) and Engineering Planning Grants (EPG). At least $15 million in grants is available through GIGP to support green stormwater infrastructure and municipal water and energy efficiency projects. Green infrastructure practices help combat nutrient pollution by reducing stormwater runoff. Up to $3 million has been made available for this round of EPG. Grants of up to $100,000 are available to municipalities to help fund an engineering report for initial planning, so they can be better prepared to seek financing to help them complete their wastewater, sewer and water quality projects.

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