- Investment Will Save New York Localities an Estimated $700M and Contribute Over 20,000 Jobs
- Over $120M Awarded to 37 Projects That Address Emerging Contaminants in Long Island Communities
- EFC Removes $3M Cap on Emerging Contaminants Grants, Now Funds 60 Percent of Emerging Contaminants Capital Project
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state Environmental Facilities Corporation has awarded more than $416M through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program to municipalities for infrastructure projects that protect public health or improve water quality. The awards include more than $120M for 37 projects to address emerging contaminants on Long Island. These grants are supporting nearly $1.6B in project costs, contributing over 20,000 jobs to New York's economy and saving New York localities over $700M.
"By investing in improving our state's water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity while also protecting our natural resources," Governor Cuomo said. "These investments in our communities will help ensure residents in every corner of the state have access to safe, clean drinking water, helping to build a stronger New York for all."
To assist with the cost of installing systems to address emerging contaminants, grants for these projects will no longer be capped at $3M but will cover 60 percent of total capital project costs. Projects eligible for these grants include those which combat emerging contaminants, such as PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane, with system upgrades and innovative technologies.
Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, New York State's 2017 Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the FY 2020 Enacted Budget make $3M available to address critical water infrastructure needs.
Funding for Emerging Contaminants
The State Environmental Facilities Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has awarded over $120M to help Long Island communities address the emerging contaminants PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane. The grants fund up to 60 percent of each project's cost.
| Applicant Name |
County |
Estimated Project Costt |
Estimated Grant Award |
Number of Projects |
| WA of Great Neck North |
|
$5,000,000 |
|
1 |
| Oyster Bay WD |
|
$5,429,000 |
$257,400 |
1 |
| Port Washington WD |
|
$30,128,000 |
$15,076,800 |
3 |
| Hempstead, Town of (East Meadow WD) |
|
$5,689,000 |
$413,400 |
1 |
| Garden City, VIllage |
Nassau |
$14,983,496 |
$8,990,098 |
2 |
| Plainview WD |
Nassau |
$6,117,000 |
$3,670,200 |
1 |
| South Farmingdale WD |
|
$6,400,000 |
$840,000 |
1 |
| Bethpage WD |
Nassau |
|
$3,855,000 |
1 |
| Garden City Park WD |
|
$6,500,000 |
$3,900,000 |
1 |
| West Hempstead WD |
|
$6,540,250 |
$924,150 |
1 |
| Franklin Square WD |
Nassau |
$6,871,000 |
$1,122,600 |
1 |
| Roslyn WD |
Nassau |
$7,475,000 |
$4,485,000 |
1 |
| WA of Western Nassau Co |
|
$8,217,000 |
$4,930,200 |
1 |
| Mineola, Village |
Nassau |
$8,300,000 |
$4,980,000 |
1 |
| Jericho WD |
Nassau |
$19,095,950 |
$11,457,570 |
2 |
| Manhasset-Lakeville WD |
Nassau |
$23,309,500 |
$10,985,700 |
2 |
| Carle Place WD |
|
$11,270,000 |
$6,762,000 |
1 |
| Hicksville WD |
|
$23,360,000 |
$14,016,000 |
2 |
| Westbury WD |
Nassau |
$12,315,000 |
$7,389,000 |
1 |
| Suffolk County WA |
Suffolk |
$21,000,000 |
$12,600,000 |
9 |
| Huntington, Town of (Dix Hills WD) |
Suffolk |
$5,070,000 |
$42,000 |
1 |
| Greenlawn WD |
|
|
$171,600 |
1 |
| South Huntington WD |
Suffolk |
$6,192,500 |
$715,500 |
1 |
Regional Investments in Water Quality Infrastructure
The Governor has dedicated $3B for water quality protection across New York. In this funding round, $416M in grant funding supports nearly $1.6B in total project costs for vital drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide. Combined with zero- or low-interest financings through the State Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York taxpayers will save over $700M.
| REGION |
Estimated Project Cost |
Grant Award Amount |
Estimated Savings |
Number of projects |
|
|
$95,000,000 |
|
$55,000,000 |
13 |
|
|
$137,000,000 |
$29,376,622 |
|
15 |
| Finger Lakes |
$131,000,000 |
$32,953,829 |
$64,000,000 |
17 |
|
|
$760,000,000 |
|
$281,000,000 |
51 |
| Mid-Hudson |
$190,000,000 |
$58,883,321 |
|
37 |
|
|
|
$13,004,726 |
|
8 |
| New York City |
|
$12,500,000 |
|
1 |
| North Country |
$78,000,000 |
$25,340,533 |
|
14 |
| Southern Tier |
$28,000,000 |
$16,106,277 |
$27,000,000 |
7 |
| Western New Nork |
$75,000,000 |
$25,378,451 |
$47,000,000 |
21 |
|
|
|
|
$750,000,000 |
184 |
Environmental Facilities Corporation Acting President and CEO Maureen Coleman said, "Governor Cuomo's commitment to maintaining and upgrading New York's critical water infrastructure has never been clearer than it is today. By increasing the cap on emerging contaminants projects to 60% of project costs, the Governor is letting water system operators and residents know that the state of New York will be with them every step of the way."
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Governor Cuomo's plan to rebuild and improve the state's vast network of drinking water infrastructure is truly transformational. The Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health are working closely with communities across the state to design and creatively finance state-of-the-art supply systems that utilize cutting-edge technologies to protect our precious drinking water from emerging contaminants and other 21st Century challenges. I commend my colleagues in state government for striving to provide more than 20 million New Yorkers world-class drinking water quality, and I thank Governor Cuomo for his continued commitment and bold leadership on this critical issue."
Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State has met clean drinking water challenges head-on with unprecedented fiscal and technical support. This funding ensures that cost will not be a barrier as water systems across the state continue to address the threat of emerging contaminants with treatment systems and vital infrastructure upgrades."
Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of Senate Environmental Conservation Committee said, "This substantial investment is exactly what is needed to address the issue of emerging contaminants, like 1,4 dioxane, in Long Island's water. I am thankful to Governor Cuomo for continuing to make Long Island's water quality a priority."
Assembly Member Steve Englebright, Chair of Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee said, "The legislature and the Governor created these programs to help ensure clean water while keeping costs to water users down. I thank the Governor for following through in making water quality a priority."
Technical Assistance
Governor Cuomo continues to direct the New York State Water Quality Rapid Response Team to provide immediate technical assistance to communities interested in assessing system needs and applying for grant funding. Additionally, DOH will offer technical assistance based upon its successful oversight of carbon filtration and AOP treatment systems in other parts of the state. This will include engineering consultation, establishing monitoring and operational protocols, and guidance for potential grant and loan financing options. Established by Governor Cuomo in 2016, the New York State Water Quality Rapid Response Team continues to implement an aggressive protocol to reduce exposure to emerging contaminants in drinking water.
For more information about New York's Drinking Water Quality Council, see: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/dwqc/.
For more information about New York's Drinking Water Protection Program, see: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/.
For information about grant funding opportunities for water systems, see: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/financing.htm.
For more information about grant awardees, see this interactive map of grant awardees: http://nysefc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a235c2a5cec647b39b1a1cff91a097b8
