New York awards nearly $500 million for drinking water and sewer upgrades across the state

Albany, New York – New York communities will receive nearly $500 million in state grants to improve drinking water and sewer systems, with 106 projects selected for funding. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the awards as part of the state’s broader effort to replace aging infrastructure, address water contamination and keep major construction costs manageable for local governments.

The projects carry a combined price tag of $1.4 billion. State officials say the grants will reduce the amount communities need to borrow, helping limit the financial burden on the families and businesses that depend on those systems. The awards support work ranging from lead pipe replacement to wastewater treatment plant improvements and new municipal sewer service.

For the Finger Lakes region, the announcement includes $52 million for 14 projects. Among them is nearly $10 million for a wastewater treatment project in the Village of Avon that is intended to improve water quality in the Genesee River. The project is also among those receiving enhanced grant support directed toward specific water quality needs and communities facing infrastructure challenges.

“Investing in water infrastructure is an investment in the future of every New Yorker,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will continue ensuring communities have the financial support and tools they need to protect public health and safeguard our natural resources while keeping these critical investments affordable.”

Based on current market conditions, the state estimates the grants will save communities $1 billion in debt service compared with financing those costs themselves. The projects are also expected to create an estimated 22,400 jobs in construction and related fields, including engineering, manufacturing and local services. Those figures represent projected benefits associated with the infrastructure work.

Read also: James urges New Yorkers to request mail ballots before October 24 deadline

The funding comes through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant programs. A full list of awards is available on the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s website. The regional allocations cover communities across the state, with projects addressing both drinking water supplies and the systems used to collect and treat wastewater.

In the Capital Region, 14 projects will receive $40 million. That includes two grants totaling $6.5 million for the Village of Menands to replace lead service lines and improve drinking water treatment. Central New York will receive $64 million for 10 projects, including $25 million for a regional wastewater infrastructure initiative in Oswego County.

Long Island’s allocation totals $57 million for 12 projects. Suffolk County will receive $7.8 million for the expansion of the Fairfield at St. James Wastewater Treatment Plant, work that will ultimately allow more users to connect to municipal sewer service. In the Mid-Hudson region, seven projects will share $66 million, including $10 million for lead service line replacement in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Six projects in the Mohawk Valley will receive $37 million. One of those awards provides $8.9 million to the Village of Camden for wastewater infrastructure improvements intended to protect Fish Creek and Oneida Lake. New York City will receive $25 million for a tank project at the North River Water Pollution Control Plant, which treats up to 170 million gallons of wastewater daily. The improvements are intended to prevent untreated sewage from bypassing the system and protect Hudson River water quality.

The North Country will receive $65 million for 10 projects, including $14 million for Elizabethtown to establish a municipal sewer and wastewater treatment system. In the Southern Tier, seven projects will share $26 million. That allocation includes $6.9 million for the Town of Chenango to protect drinking water from emerging contaminants.

Western New York will receive $67 million for 15 projects. Among the recipients is the Town of Friendship, which will get $4.6 million for sewer improvements designed to protect and improve water quality in the Genesee River basin. Together with Avon’s project, that award highlights investments benefiting waterways within the broader Genesee River system.

The statewide package includes $119 million in enhanced grants. That funding supports drinking water projects needed to meet state standards for emerging contaminants, along with wastewater and sewer projects in small, rural and disadvantaged communities. The projects in Avon, Camden, Chenango, Elizabethtown and Friendship are among those receiving this additional support.

Read also: Rochester neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard elected to National Academy of Medicine for brain research

Another $64 million will support projects to identify and replace lead service lines. Those awards build on more than $600 million in grant commitments made since 2021 to help communities remove lead from their water infrastructure. Lead replacement is one of several priorities within the package, alongside treatment improvements and expanded wastewater service.

Municipalities that worked with EFC’s Community Assistance Teams received $120 million in awards. Hochul expanded the technical assistance program in 2023 to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities prepare applications, access funding and address water infrastructure needs. The program provides direct help with the steps municipalities must complete to pursue financial support.

EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Governor Hochul’s historic $500 million investment will have a lasting impact on New Yorkers’ quality of life. With these grants, the State is protecting the environment and what comes out of the tap while protecting the pockets of New Yorkers. EFC’s WIIA grants are proven vehicles for affordability and will help ensure these critical projects won’t be held up because of costs.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Once again, Governor Hochul is delivering on her commitment to ensuring municipalities across New York can affordably provide safe drinking water to our communities. These grants will help remove lead service lines and combat harmful emerging contaminants from drinking water while protecting public health for years to come.”

The awards are part of the $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment included in the enacted state fiscal year 2027 budget. That commitment builds on $10.6 billion provided for clean water infrastructure projects since 2021. Along with addressing existing problems, the state says the investments are intended to support sustainable growth and economic development.

Residents can explore projects supported by EFC through its interactive project impact dashboard. The dashboard offers a way to track infrastructure investments and see which projects are benefiting from the agency’s funding.

EFC is also accepting applications for $45 million in available Green Resiliency Grants. Municipalities seeking assistance can arrange one-on-one consultations with the agency’s Community Assistance Teams to help prepare strong applications and pursue funding for their local infrastructure needs.