The Peru Gazette

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced over $20 million in awards for two key programs that support clean water initiatives across the state: the Green Innovation Grant Program and Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants. This funding provides critical support to communities working to affordably modernize water infrastructure, protect public health, and enhance resilience to extreme weather. The awards are announced during National Water Quality Month, commemorated every August to highlight the importance of clean water for healthy communities and thriving ecosystems.

“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe water, and we’re making that happen by investing in smart, affordable infrastructure upgrades,” Governor Hochul said.“From planning to construction, we’re supporting communities every step of the way so families across the state can count on reliable water systems for years to come.”

The Environmental Facilities Corporation is awarding $17 million through the Green Innovation Grant Program to support 12 stormwater infrastructure and water efficiency projects. The program supports nature-based solutions that help mitigate flooding, reduce runoff, and improve water quality, while also promoting economic development.

EFC is also awarding over $3 million in Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants to 59 communities. Planning grants jumpstart local efforts to advance fiscally sound and well-designed projects to construction by supporting completion of an approvable engineering report for the project.

Green Innovation Grant Program Award Highlights

• Green-Wood Cemetery in New York City – $1.8 million to implement the second phase of a comprehensive stormwater resilience project aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows into the Gowanus Canal and Upper New York Bay.
• City of Lockport in Niagara County (Western New York) – $1.4 million for Phase 2 of a streetscape improvement project that will incorporate green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in the NYS Barge Canal.
• Village of Malone in Franklin County (North Country) – $3 million to install water meters as part of a comprehensive water system upgrade, ensuring compliance with state sanitary codes and meeting current demand.
• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation – $1.3 million to provide final gap funding needed to get the nearly $10 million Bridge Park South Expansion underway, featuring green infrastructure and a renaturalized shoreline to help revitalize the South Bronx waterfront and link Harlem River parks.

Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant Award Highlights

• Town of Hague in Warren County (Capital Region) – $48,500 to evaluate the feasibility of extending the sanitary sewer service along the shore of Lake George to create a third sewer district. The report will study alternatives for potential sewer system extensions options and will recommend and prioritize improvements. The implementation of this project will help reduce nutrient loading to improve water quality in Lake George.
• Village of Lake Placid in Essex County (North Country) – $50,000 to evaluate the condition of the sanitary sewers along the lower section of Main Street for water quality improvements in Chubb River. The study will include manhole inspections and televised video inspection to identify sources of inflow and infiltration. The report will recommend and prioritize improvements to the collection system.
• Village of Medina in Orleans County (Finger Lakes) – $50,000 to evaluate the current condition of the wastewater treatment plant to replace aging equipment. The report will recommend and prioritize improvements, including resiliency and cyber security enhancements. Implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for Oak Orchard Creek.
• Village of Morrisville in Madison County (Central New York) – $50,000 to assess the feasibility of consolidating wastewater treatment plants in the Village and at SUNY Morrisville to protect water quality in the Chenango River. The study will assess the necessary pumping and conveyance infrastructure for consolidation, as well as needed equipment upgrades necessary to treat the increased flow and loads at the Village’s facility.
• City of Oneonta in Otsego County (Mohawk Valley) – $100,000 to investigate sources of inflow and infiltration in the City’s sanitary sewer system to protect water quality in the Susquehanna River.
• Village of Ossining in Westchester County (Mid-Hudson) – $50,000 to identify sources of inflow and infiltration to the stormwater system. The report will identify sources of pollution entering the stormwater system and will feature a phased capital improvement plan and map to guide the implementation of recommendations. The implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for the Hudson River.
• Town of Tonawanda in Erie County (Western New York) – $100,000 to evaluate the sanitary sewers within three areas to protect Two Mile Creek and Ellicott Creek. The study will identify inflow and infiltration sources, analyze sewer hydraulic capacity, and exterior investigations.
• Town of Urbana in Steuben County (Southern Tier) – $42,000 to evaluate the feasibility of connecting properties in the town currently served by septic systems to the Village of Hammondsport collection system. The project will protect water quality in Keuka Lake.

Full lists of awardees and project descriptions for each program are available on EFC’s website at www.efc.ny.gov.