Governor Hochul Announces the Completion of the Village of Webster’s $16 Million Clean Water Project

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a $16 million upgrade to the Village of Webster's Wastewater Treatment Plant. Funded by a grant and interest-free financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the project reflects Governor Hochul's continued commitment to affordable clean water, strong communities and sustainable growth.

"We're investing at historic scale to help municipalities protect public health and the environment while strengthening the water systems that New Yorkers rely on every day," Governor Hochul said. "My $3.75 billion investment plan enacted in the 2027 State Budget will build on the $10 billion my administration has delivered to help communities address their water infrastructure needs, protect public health and the environment and build more resilient systems."

Improvements at the Village's wastewater treatment plant will help improve water quality in Lake Ontario in the Rochester Embayment, demonstrating the long-term environmental benefits of investing in wastewater infrastructure. The plant, which was originally constructed in 1934, is an essential part of the Village's infrastructure, serving thousands of residents, businesses and other users.

Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation provided the Village with $14.5 million in interest-free financing and a $1.4 million grant through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

EFC's grant and financing package is projected to save over $16 million in debt service costs the Village would have faced through traditional borrowing. These savings underscore the crucial role of the State Revolving Funds in affordably advancing New York's clean water goals.

Construction began in summer 2024 after several years of planning. EFC provided a Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant to fund the development of an engineering report and help ensure the project was fiscally sound and well-designed.

The project upgraded major components of the treatment plant, replaced aging equipment, improved treatment processes, and strengthened the facility's overall reliability. The improvements will help the plant protect local waterways and provide additional capacity to accommodate the community's changing needs.

For the Village, the completed project represents more than an infrastructure upgrade. It provides a stronger foundation for continued growth while helping ensure that wastewater is treated effectively and responsibly before it is returned to the environment.

EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "This is a vital investment in clean water and in the affordability of local water infrastructure. This project symbolizes Governor Hochul's unwavering commitment to delivering funding that ensures important projects move forward without placing an unsustainable financial burden on the communities they serve."

Senator Chuck Schumer said, "Upgrading the Village of Webster's Wastewater Treatment Plant has made Monroe County cleaner and created jobs. Building modern sewer systems is fundamental to public health, improving water quality, and promoting economic growth. I was proud to deliver millions in federal funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to get this project over the finish line. I will always fight to keep the Rochester-Finger Lakes region's drinking water clean, sewer infrastructure strong and our communities safe and healthy."

Congressman Joe Morelle said, "Clean water is essential to the health of our families, the strength of our communities, and the future of our region. This $16 million investment will help protect Lake Ontario, modernize critical infrastructure and ensure the Village of Webster can continue to grow for generations to come. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul and our partners at the state and local levels for their continued commitment to delivering the reliable, affordable services our families deserve."

Village of Webster Mayor Darrell Byerts said, "This investment gives the Village a modernized wastewater treatment facility that will serve our community well into the future. We appreciate the support that made this important project possible and are proud to complete an upgrade that benefits our residents, businesses, and environment."

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

Under Governor Hochul, New York State continues to increase its historic investments in water infrastructure. The FY27 budget announced by Governor Hochul sets the national standard with a transformational $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan, building on $10.6 billion committed to clean water infrastructure projects since 2021. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC's investments using the interactive project impact dashboard. EFC is currently accepting applications for $45 million in available funding for Green Resiliency Grants. EFC's Community Assistance Teams are available for one-on-one consultations to help municipalities prepare strong applications.