Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $85 million to help communities undertake critical drinking water, stormwater, and sewer projects while keeping costs affordable for local ratepayers. The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Board of Directors approved low-cost financing and grants that empower local governments to improve water systems without passing high costs on to families and businesses. These investments protect public health and the environment, reduce future risks, and support good-paying jobs.

"New York continues to set the national standard because we prioritize water infrastructure as the essential investment it is, not a cost to put off until tomorrow," Governor Hochul said. "We're putting historic resources behind the essential work of delivering cleaner water, stronger, more resilient communities, and the infrastructure New Yorkers can count on."

EFC's Board approved low-cost financing and previously announced grants through New York's premier water infrastructure investment programs that help communities avoid overly burdensome rate increases. Board approval is a milestone in the funding process and allows communities to enter into funding agreements with EFC and access funds for their projects. Projects that reach the Board approval stage have completed environmental reviews and satisfied key program requirements.

Funding is provided through:

• The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: A mix of State and federal dollars that deliver more than $1 billion in low-cost financing and grants annually to New York communities. The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has significantly bolstered the State Revolving Funds since 2022, driving critical investments to help modernize New York's water and sewer infrastructure. This additional funding ceases this year.
• The State's Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants: Proven vehicles for affordability that have saved ratepayers more than $8.3 billion statewide since 2015. EFC is currently reviewing applications for $425 million in grant funding made available through the first installment of the Governor's bold $3.75 billion clean water investment plan in the FY 2027 Enacted State Budget.
• The State's Green Resiliency Grants: Launched by Governor Hochul in 2023 to protect New Yorkers from the impacts of extreme weather, with $121 million awarded to date.

Combining State and federal funding ensures every dollar goes further in modernizing aging infrastructure across the State, protecting public health and the environment. Fully funded State Revolving Funds are necessary for New York to meet the ongoing need for communities to repair, rehabilitate, and modernize aging infrastructure.

Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "Governor Hochul and EFC are delivering billions for water infrastructure to help ensure cost isn't a barrier for communities that are making vital improvements in the systems that New Yorkers depend on every day. EFC's grants and low-cost financing are helping local governments tackle vital projects while protecting ratepayers from undue costs."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "Improving water quality in our communities will deliver real results to millions of New York residents. The approval of $85 million in low-cost financing today using federal and state grant funding emphasizes Governor Hochul's commitment to clean water for all New Yorkers and our environment."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "This announcement represents Governor Hochul's continuing efforts to provide our communities with modern infrastructure that delivers safe and accessible drinking water. Working with our State partners and local governments, the Department of Health's Bureau of Water Supply Protection is a vital part of the team that provides municipalities with key resources and assists local water systems in assessing and prioritizing their operational and maintenance needs to ensure public health is protected."

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, "Strong communities start with the basics, and access to clean, reliable water is one of them. Through the Department of State, we're proud to work alongside communities across New York to invest in the infrastructure they need to thrive while keeping costs manageable for families and businesses. I thank Governor Hochul for continuing to make these critical investments a priority while also focusing on keeping affordability at the forefront for New Yorkers."

Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

Capital Region

• Town of Queensbury, $5 million federal grant for the installation of approximately 20,590 linear feet drinking water main and associated appurtenances including valving, hydrants, and service meters.

Hudson Valley

• Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority, $31 million in State grant and low-cost financing for an interconnection between the Hyde Park and Quaker Hill drinking water systems, including installation of approximately 29,500 feet of water main, hydrants, valves, and appurtenances, construction of a prefabricated booster pump station, new electrical service at the proposed North Park parcel, and replacement of approximately 500 feet water main in the Quaker Hill distribution system.
• Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, $2.5 million State grant for the planning, design, and construction of a detention pond adjacent to Farragut Parkway. By diverting, capturing, and temporarily detaining stormwater, the project will reduce flood risks for residents along NepperhanAvenue and improve water quality in the Saw Mill River.
• Town of Wawayanda, $1.5 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the planning, design, and construction of headworks and blower improvements at the Robinn Meadows Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will improve water quality in the tributary of the Indigot Creek, a Class C trout stream.

Long Island

• Hampton Bays Fire District, $1 million federal grant for interim remedial measures to address groundwater contamination caused by emerging contaminants including PFOS and PFOA at the fire district site.
• Town of Riverhead, $2.3 million federal grant for the installation of a granular activated carbon treatment system to remove PFAS from Well No. 5-2A.

Mohawk Valley

• Town of Paris, $9.4 million in State grant and low-cost financing for the installation of approximately 1,750 linear feet of new drinking water main with related appurtenances, installation of 10 new water services, and replacement of hydrants throughout the system.

North Country

• Village of Croghan, $9.9 million in State grant and interest-free financing for the replacement of 26,000 linear feet of transmission main, replacement and installation of 11,000 linear feet of water main, replacement of valves and hydrants, and formation of a new water district to incorporate existing outside users and extend water service to 12 new residents.
• City of Ogdensburg, $3 million State grant for the planning, design, and construction of green infrastructure stormwater management practices at the Downtown Mall Parking Area. The project will decrease wet weather flows to the City's combined sewer system while improving water quality in the Oswegatchie and St. Lawrence Rivers.
• Town of Peru, $9.4 million in State grant and interest-free financing for the installation of a trident filtration system and conversion of the existing filters to granular activated carbon to reduce disinfection byproduct formation in the system.

Southern Tier

• Village of Addison, $1.7 million State grant for the installation of approximately 3,400 linear feet of drinking water main, looping dead ends throughout the system, construction of creek and jack-and-bore levee crossings, construction of a new 388,000-gallon water storage tank, hydrant replacements, electrical and control improvements, and incidental work and appurtenances.

Western New York

• Village of Belmont, $8.5 million in State grant and low-cost financing for improvements to well source Nos. 3 and 4, replacement of the water treatment plant filtration system from packaged to cartridge filtration, and replacement of approximately 9,950 linear feet of water mains, hydrants, and appurtenances.

Senator Charles Schumer said, "These water infrastructure projects will create jobs and support communities across New York, from the Capital Region to Long Island. Access to clean drinking water and safe, modern sewer infrastructure is fundamental to public health and to boosting economic growth. I am proud to have secured millions in federal funding through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds so New York communities can upgrade their water infrastructure systems. I will always fight to keep New York's drinking water clean, sewer infrastructure strong, and our communities safe and healthy."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Our local governments work incredibly hard on tight budgets to ensure access to clean, safe water, and we've championed this state grant support to help communities like Dutchess modernize their systems, which protects local ratepayers from being overburdened by the astronomical costs of these projects. I'm proud to have helped secure this funding for Dutchess to make these critical improvements to local drinking water systems, and I thank Governor Hochul for her partnership in delivering this investment."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "Clean drinking water and safe wastewater systems are critical to the health of our constituents and communities. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for allocating significant funds to Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority to expand infrastructure in Hyde Park and Quaker Hill, allowing them to make these much needed improvements without saddling local ratepayers with all the costs."

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said, "On the East End, our water infrastructure faces unique pressures from the historic lack of a centralized water system, emerging legacy contaminants from past industry, seasonal population growth, flooding, and the need to protect the groundwater that supplies drinking water across our communities. The Governor's $85 million investment will help local governments replace outdated water mains, upgrade treatment systems, and strengthen the reliability of water services-without passing those costs on to ratepayers. This is the kind of targeted state support our towns need to protect clean water, keep costs down for residents, and ensure that communities from Southold and Shelter Island to East Hampton and Southampton have infrastructure built for the future."

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, "Addressing aging water infrastructure is costly and complex, and this funding from the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is truly great news for our communities. We appreciate Governor Hochul's support for this critical project. The interconnection of the Hyde Park and Quaker Hill drinking water systems will allow for resources to be used more efficiently, improve water quality, and share major treatment and storage costs regionally. These grants help reduce the financial burden on local ratepayers and support the affordability our residents deserve."

Town of Riverhead Supervisor Jerry Halpin said, "I wish to extend my thanks to Governor Hochul for her role in securing critical grant funding which will help us continue to bring clean, safe drinking water to Riverhead residents. Installing a carbon treatment system to remove PFAS is costly, and grants like this are very helpful because they reduce costs for local ratepayers."

Nation-Leading Investments in Water Infrastructure

New York State continues to increase its historic investments in water infrastructure. The 2027 budget announced by Governor Hochul sets the national standard with a transformational $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan, which brings total clean water grant commitments to $10 billion since 2017.New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC's investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.