Includes Over $1.5 Billion in Grants for Local Governments to Improve Water Infrastructure
Creates $75 Million Septic System Rebate Program for Homeowners and Small Businesses to Upgrade their Septic Systems
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed the Clean Water Infrastructure Act – a $2.5 billion investment in drinking water infrastructure, clean water infrastructure and water quality protection across New York. This bold investment builds on the Governor’s record of environmental leadership and will help local governments pay for local infrastructure construction projects, address water emergencies, and investigate and mitigate emerging contaminants to ensure access to clean, drinkable water for all New Yorkers.
This includes over $1.5 billion in grants for water infrastructure improvements and creates a $75 million rebate program to give homeowners and small businesses an incentive to replace and upgrade aging septic systems. In addition to traditional infrastructure, funds are also available for ‘green’ infrastructure, with $110 million dedicated for source water protection initiatives, including land acquisition.
“Clean water is an issue of paramount national importance, and New York is once again leading the nation with this bold investment to strengthen the infrastructure of our water systems and protect the long-term health, sustainability and economic vitality of communities across the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will provide New York’s cities, towns and villages with modernized, sustainable water systems – protecting our precious resources and securing a healthier future for all New Yorkers.”
The Governor also announced that municipalities can now apply for $255 million in grants for drinking water and clean water infrastructure projects through the established NYS Water Grant Program and new Intermunicipal Grant Program, funded though the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. Applications and additional information are now available here and must be submitted along with any required supporting documentation to: NYSWaterGrants@efc.ny.gv by 5:00 p.m. on June 23, 2017.
Beyond this $2.5 billion investment, the FY 2018 Budget contains additional investments to protect and improve water quality improvements on Long Island, including:
$300 Million Environmental Protection Fund
The FY 2018 maintains a record $300 million Environmental Protection Fund to safeguard our natural resources and public health. This year’s EPF provides more than $17.5 million to protect Long Island’s water quality, including:
- $3 million for Suffocated County and the Stony Brook Center for Clean Water Technology to develop advanced septic treatment technologies to reduce nitrogen pollution;
- $2 million for Long Island Central Pine Barrens Commission to protect drinking water at its source; and
- $900,000 to protect the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve.
$40 Million to Build Local Sewer Systems in Smithtown and Kings Park
The FY 2018 State Budget invests $40 million to build two local water treatment systems that provide vital support to the continued growth of the region. First, the $20 million Smithtown Business District Sewer Improvement Area project will install sanitary infrastructure in the business district. Additionally, a $20 million Kings Park Wastewater Treatment Facility be installed in the 100-acre, 140 lot central business district area adjacent to a railroad station.
$5 Million for the Stony Brook Clean Water Institute
The FY 2018 Budget invests $5 million for Suffolk County and the Stony Brook Center for Clean Water Technology to develop and evaluate new cost-effective treatment technologies to remove emerging contaminants from drinking water. The initial focus will be on researching and developing treatment technologies to remove the emerging contaminant 1,4 dioxane, which has been found in Long Island groundwater and is not readily removed by traditional drinking water treatment technologies.
The FY 2018 Budget creates new, statewide initiatives to build on New York’s ongoing efforts to set national standards for protecting clean water and address the emerging threat of unregulated contaminants:
Drinking Water Quality Council
The FY 2018 Budget establishes the Drinking Water Quality Council to identifies strategies to address emerging threats to water quality. Eight of the twelve Council members are to be appointed by the Governor, including the DOH and DEC Commissioners, as well as an additional representative from DOH and DEC. The remaining four members appointed by the Governor will include a water purveyor representative, a toxicologist/risk assessor, a microbiologist and an environmental engineer. Two each are recommended by the Senate and Assembly representing water purveyors and a member with a background in toxicology or risk assessment.
Require Testing of Unregulated Contaminants
The federal government currently only requires testing for unregulated contaminants for water systems serving 10,000 residents or more. The FY 2018 Budget includes legislation requiring that all public water systems in New York State, including smaller systems not covered under the current federal rule, test for emerging contaminants, like 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS. The Department of Health will provide financial assistance for the testing to small public water systems that demonstrate financial hardship.
This funding will provide NY’s cities, towns and villages with modernized, sustainable water systems – protecting our precious resources and securing a healthier future for all NY’ers.
