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Governor Cuomo Announces $34.2 Million for Clean Water Systems and Local Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects Statewide

_{JUNE 3, 2021}

Projects Located in Western New York, Capital, Mid-Hudson and Central New York Regions

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved $34.2 million in grants, interest-free loans, and low-cost loans to support vital drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across New York State. The FY 2022 Enacted Budget adds a $500 million appropriation to support clean water, raising the State's total investment to $4 billion and continuing to fulfill the State's $5 billion clean water commitment.

"Access to clean water is an essential piece in building strong, vibrant communities and it's critical our local partners have the resources they need to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "With this funding in hand, communities throughout the state will now be able to make vital upgrades to key infrastructure like wastewater collection systems, disinfection systems and water storage tanks, helping to ensure water quality for their residents is protected generations to come."

The Board's approval includes financing through the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and grants that are part of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Emerging Contaminants grant programs. For more information, visit EFC's website at www.efc.ny.gov.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO

Joseph Rabito said, "Infrastructure projects related to both clean water and drinking water can be daunting financial undertakings for New York State communities large and small, yet are critical to health and safety. DEC and EFC are proud partners, and we are pleased that the low or no-cost financings and grants approved by the EFC Board today will help local governments affordably invest in projects that will protect water quality for years to come."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Clean drinking water is essential to protecting the long-term health, sustainability, and economic prosperity of communities across New York. The State's sustained investments in the historic Clean Water Infrastructure Act and Clean Water State Revolving Fund continue to help local governments find the flexibility to fund major infrastructure projects critical to protecting and improving water quality. DEC is proud to partner with Environmental Facilities Corporation and communities statewide to strengthen and modernize New York's aging water infrastructure systems."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "New York's significant fiscal commitment to providing quality drinking water continues to benefit residents statewide as communities work to update infrastructure and install state-of-the-art treatment to keep this precious health resource flowing."

The projects approved at the June 3 meeting include:

Clean Water:

Town of Coeymans in Albany County - $746,481 in long-term interest free financing for the planning, design and construction of collection system and wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

City of Lockport in Niagara County - $2,593,750 in low interest financing, and a $531,250 Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant for the planning, design, and construction of an effluent disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant.

Village of Perry in Wyoming County - $8,636,043 in short-term interest free financing for planning, design, and construction of improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and $1,981,957 in long-term interest free financing for Phase 2 of the planning, design, and construction for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and rehabilitation of their collection system. Both projects were originally supported with EFC Engineering Planning grants.

Town of Ramapo in Rockland County - $1,325,000 in WIIA grant for construction of a wastewater collection system upgrade.

Village of Westfield in Chautauqua County - $4,630,914 in long-term interest free financing for upgrades to the village's wastewater treatment plant.

Drinking Water:

Village of Mexico in Oswego County - $4,000,000 in short-term market rate financing and $3,000,000 in WIIA grant to install a new 500,000-gallon elevated glass-lined water storage tank and new water mains in critical areas.

Port Washington Water District in Nassau County - $3,428,400 in an Emerging Contaminants grant for the design and construction of a new treatment process at the existing water treatment facility to remove 1,4 -dioxane and PFOA from the Stonytown Road facility well #10.

Port Washington Water District in Nassau County - $3,285,600 in an Emerging Contaminants grant for the design and construction of a new treatment process at the existing water treatment facility to remove 1,4- dioxane, PFOA and PFOS from Hewlett well #4.

The financings are subject to the Public Authorities Control Board's approval and are scheduled for consideration at PACB's meeting on June 16, 2021.