Governor Hochul Announces $200 Million to Help Communities Modernize Water Infrastructure Without Overburdening Ratepayers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $200 million to help communities undertake critical drinking water, stormwater and sewer projects while keeping costs affordable for local ratepayers. The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Board of Directors approved funding that empowers local governments to improve water systems without passing high costs on to families and businesses. These investments protect public health and the environment, reduce future risks and support good-paying jobs.

"Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe water and communities shouldn't have to choose between upgrading critical water infrastructure and keeping costs affordable for residents," Governor Hochul said. "Since I took office, New York has invested $10.6 billion for water and sewer improvement projects, and this latest announcement is part of my ongoing commitment to get the funding out the door, and help local governments get projects underway."

EFC's Board approved low-cost financing, federal grants, and previously announced State grants through New York's premier water infrastructure investment programs that help communities avoid overly burdensome rate increases. Board approval is a milestone in the funding process and allows communities to enter into funding agreements with EFC and access funds for their projects.

Funding is provided through:

• The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: A mix of State and federal dollars that deliver more than $1 billion in low-cost financing and grants annually to New York communities. The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has significantly bolstered the State Revolving Funds since 2022, driving critical investments to help modernize New York's water and sewer infrastructure. This additional funding ceases this year.
• The State's Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants: Proven vehicles for affordability that have saved ratepayers more than $8.3 billion statewide since 2015. Today, the Board approved grants awarded between 2022 and 2025. Governor Hochul delivered the first installment of her $3.75 billion clean water investment plan and announced nearly $500 million to 106 projects through these programs this week.
• The Governor's Lead Infrastructure Forgiveness and Transformation Grants: Loan forgiveness grants to help communities pay for lead service line projects by covering costs not fully paid for by federal grants.

Combining State and federal funding ensures every dollar goes further in modernizing aging infrastructure across the State, protecting public health and the environment. Fully funded State Revolving Funds are necessary for New York to meet the ongoing need for communities to repair, rehabilitate and modernize aging infrastructure.

Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "Today's approvals demonstrate the tangible impact of Governor Hochul's commitment to making water infrastructure more affordable for communities. These projects are often among the largest and most capital-intensive investments a municipality will undertake. By combining the Governor's grant funding with low-cost financing, EFC helps communities close funding gaps, move critical projects forward and make essential improvements to protect public health and water quality without placing an undue burden on ratepayers."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "New York continues to deliver real results on improving water quality for local communities while protecting our natural environment. The approval of $200 million in low-cost financing and grants today emphasizes Governor Hochul's ongoing commitment to strengthen water and sewer infrastructure for the benefit of all New Yorkers."

New York State Health Commissioner and EFC Board Member Dr. James McDonald said, "Governor Hochul stands committed to helping communities affordably update their drinking water systems by maximizing funding opportunities, so ratepayers don't burden the cost. The Department of Health's Bureau of Water Supply Protection will continue to work with municipalities every step of the way on these critical public health projects, from submitting applications for funding to the twist of the tap."

New York Secretary of State and EFC Board Member Walter T. Mosley said, "Governor Hochul continues to make unprecedented investments in water and sewer infrastructure upgrades in order to create a reliable system and promote healthy communities and economies. The Governor's investment announcement of $200 million will help communities undertake critical drinking water, stormwater, and sewer projects while keeping costs affordable for local ratepayers, thus ensuring that New York's villages and towns have the necessary resources to build a healthy economy and local communities."

Funding was approved for projects in the following regions:

Capital Region

• Washington County, $6.2 million federal grant to upgrade the Sewer District No. 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Central New York

• Town of Forestport, $1.3 million in low-cost financing for wastewater treatment plant disinfection upgrades.
• Onondaga County, $1.2 million State grant for the construction of gravity sludge thickener improvements at the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• City of Syracuse, $16.1 million federal grant and interest-free financing for sanitary and storm sewer separation in the Sedgwick and Eastwood neighborhoods.

Finger Lakes

• Village of Geneseo, $1.9 million State grant and low-cost financing for the replacement of 3,300 linear feet of water mains, hydrants, valves and water meters, including the elimination of 20 lead services lines located on Oak and Second Streets.
• City of Rochester, $5 million State grant for the replacement of the filter underdrain system, modification of backwash supply header piping and improvements to the filter gates.
• Town of Romulus, $830,328 federal grant for the replacement of 8,600 linear feet of aging water main along Main Street, County Routes 132 and 132A, Prospect Street, and State Route 96A, and the installation of flushing hydrants on dead ended mains in the Willard Water District.

Long Island

• Hampton Bays Water District, $4.7 million State grant for a new granular activated carbon treatment system at Plant No. 3.
• Suffolk County, $1.5 million federal grant for engineering site investigations and preparation of a feasibility study to address groundwater contamination caused by emerging contaminants, including PFOA and PFOS, at the Suffolk County Firematics facility.
• Suffolk County Water Authority, two State grants totaling $2.6 million for the construction of a new advanced oxidation process treatment system to remove 1,4-dioxane from Well No. 2A at the Oxhead Road Well Field.

Mid-Hudson

• Village of Harrison, $40.3 million in low-cost financing for the construction of the Westchester Joint Water Work's Rye Lake Water Filtration Plant.
• Town of Mamaroneck, $12.1 million in low-cost financing for the construction of the Westchester Joint Water Work's Rye Lake Water Filtration Plant.
• Village of Mamaroneck, $20 million in low-cost financing for the construction of the Westchester Joint Water Work's Rye Lake Water Filtration Plant.
• City of Poughkeepsie, $2.5 million in low-cost financing for the replacement of biologically active filter media and underdrains of the six dual media filters in the water treatment plant.
• Town of Rosendale, $3 million in interest-free financing for the second phase of constructing a 500,000-gallon water storage tank to replace the Sand Hill water storage tank.

Mohawk Valley

• City of Gloversville, State and federal grants and interest-free financing for a $12.2 million project to replace 1,791 lead service lines. The State LIFT grant approved today will pay off the financing upon project completion, resulting in a fully grant funded project.
• Town of Herkimer, $680,000 in low-cost financing for a new water storage tank to provide adequate distribution pressure and fire flow, a new pump station to replace an existing one to serve the McKennan Road/Steuben Hill Road areas, and replacement of aged undersized water mains and appurtenances.
• Village of Herkimer, grants and interest-free financing for a $13.2 million project to replace 1,687 lead service lines. Governor Hochul's LIFT grant will pay off the financing upon project completion, resulting in a fully grant funded project.

North Country

• Village of Chateaugay, $18 million in State and federal grants and low-cost financing for wastewater treatment plant upgrades to implement disinfection and replace aging equipment.
• Town of Morristown, $9.9 million in federal grant and interest-free financing for the replacement of 5,300 linear feet of water main and associated appurtenances, extension of 2,800 linear feet of water main, water storage tank rehabilitation, water meter replacement and installation and replacement of the existing diatomaceous earth water treatment plant with a new ultrafiltration water treatment plant.

Southern Tier

• Village of New Berlin, $14.9 million in federal grant and low-cost financing for the replacement of approximately 32,500 linear feet of aged water main and associated appurtenances, installation of a manganese greensand filtration system for Well Nos. 1 and 2, abandonment of Well No. 3, a new residential water metering system, and upgrades to the existing 400,000-gallon storage tank.

Western New York

• Village of Delevan, $14.9 million in State grant and interest-free financing for a new wastewater collection system.

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, "I am pleased that both the Town of Mamaroneck and the Village of Mamaroneck will each receive funds from the State of New York for construction of the Westchester Joint Water Work's Rye Lake Water Filtration Plant. The Town will receive $12.1 million and the Village will receive $20 million for this project. This long-required investment in the Plan and in safe and reliable drinking water infrastructure is fundamental to the health and well-being of all of our communities. I am proud that the NYS Senate continues to support state investment in clean drinking water and that Governor Kathy Hochul continues as our very strong partner in this important effort."

State Senator Rachel May said, "Clean water and reliable sewer systems are essential to every community. This funding will help Syracuse and Onondaga County make important improvements without adding more costs for residents. Thank you to Governor Hochul for continuing to invest in our communities and helping keep these services affordable," said Senator Rachel May.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "Every New Yorker deserves access to clean drinking water. This funding will help improve our state's water infrastructure while ensuring local ratepayers aren't burdened by the cost. I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's commitment to prioritizing public health and protecting Rochester residents."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "State funding for water and sewer infrastructure improvements is essential to helping our small cities and towns replace aging systems and move forward with projects that support new housing and economic growth. I was proud to advocate for this funding to help communities in my district address these critical needs. Thank you to Governor Hochul for prioritizing this investment and supporting Hudson's sewer overflow mitigation project, Red Hook's sewer facility expansion and Rosendale's water storage tank replacement project."

Assemblymember Steve Otis said, "New York State has the most comprehensive and highest funded clean water assistance programs in the nation. These awards, combined with Governor Hochul's announcement earlier this week of the 2026 round of water infrastructure and intermunicipal grants, mark the commitment by Governor Hochul and the Legislature to continue to increase the funding for these programs. Thanks also go to the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Health for their skilled work with local governments across the state to match state dollars with needed local water infrastructure projects. These efforts have allowed NYS to cover billions of dollars of project costs that would have been borne by property taxpayers and ratepayers."

Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, "As we work to modernize Rochester's infrastructure, protecting our residents from rising utility costs remains a top priority. This $5 million grant allows us to make essential upgrades to our city's drinking water systems without passing the financial burden onto working families and local businesses. Investing in clean water creates good-paying jobs and ensures our city remains a healthy, affordable place to live and grow."

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said, "I am grateful to stand alongside Governor Hochul in announcing this critical water quality funding, especially here on Long Island. These monies will go a long way to provide infrastructure improvements needed to supply clean drinking water to areas where they most need it. On Long Island, our sole-source aquifer is the only viable source of drinking water. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your strong leadership."

Assemblymember Michael S. Cashman said, "Access to clean, safe water is a constitutional right in New York State. Continuing to fund programs like these are essential in ensuring our communities are as safe and healthy as possible, and I am pleased to see some of our North Country communities receive these funds. I will continue the fight for equitable resources for our rural communities."

Syracuse Mayor Owens said, "This commitment represents a decisive investment in strengthening New York's infrastructure while protecting ratepayers from additional financial burden. For the City of Syracuse, the grant funding and interest-free financing will advance critical sanitary and storm sewer separation in the Sedgwick and Eastwood neighborhoods. This work is essential to safeguarding public health, improving system reliability, and reducing long-term risk. I thank Governor Hochul for these targeted investments that ensure communities have the resources they need to modernize vital infrastructure and build a more resilient future."

Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, "I want to thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for supporting our critical investments in Rochester's water system. Communities across the nation are sounding the alarm about pending risks to their sewer and water infrastructure due to aging infrastructure and assets. Thankfully, New York's leaders recognize this risk and are taking action to avoid it before repair costs become insurmountable."

Village of Chateaugay Mayor Matthew Clarke said, "The Village of Chateaugay is ecstatic to receive this grant for wastewater treatment plant upgrades. This award will be a tremendous cost saving measure to our taxpayers."

Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Sharon Torres said, "We thank Governor Hochul for her generosity and support, which will help strengthen our water infrastructure and keep costs affordable for Village of Mamaroneck residents."

Town Supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck Jaine Elkind Eney said, "Access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for our residents and maintaining that access requires continued investment in our infrastructure. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for approving $12.1 million in low-cost financing to support the Town of Mamaroneck's portion of the cost of constructing the Westchester Joint Water Works Rye Lake Water Filtration Plant. This financing will help move this important project forward while keeping costs manageable for our residents. We appreciate the State's continued partnership and support in helping communities like ours make these necessary improvements."

Town Supervisor of the Town of Rosendale Jeanne Walsh said, "On behalf of the Town of Rosendale, we thank Governor Hochul for this important investment in our water infrastructure. This $3 million in interest-free financing will help us advance the second phase of construction on a new water storage tank to replace the Sand Hill water storage tank, strengthening the reliability of our water system for residents. State support like this helps municipalities make critical infrastructure improvements while minimizing costs for local taxpayers."

Village of Geneseo Mayor Christopher Ivers said, "The Village of Geneseo - an historic village, county seat, and home to SUNY Geneseo - is very grateful to receive $1.9 million in grant monies and low-cost financing from the State of New York. First incorporated in 1832, we work diligently to preserve our historic buildings while maintaining and updating our aging infrastructure. These much-needed funds will allow us to replace 3,300 linear feet of water mains, hydrants, valves and water meters. Additionally, this funding will cover the elimination of 20 lead services lines located on Oak and Second Streets, two historic village streets filled with longtime residents, college rentals, and several community group homes. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the State for this investment in Geneseo's water system. These funds will substantially offset the cost of long-overdue upgrades, and help ensure safe, healthy drinking water for our residents."

Town of Herkimer Supervisor Dominic Frank said, "Thank you, Governor Hochul, and Environmental Facilities Corporation for this award to improve water pressure and provide critical fire protection to water customers in the town of Herkimer."

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State continues to increase its historic investments in water infrastructure. Governor Hochul announced$500 million in grants this week to deliver the first installment of her $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan, building on $10.6 billion provided to local 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 funding forGreen Resiliency Grants. EFC's Community Assistance Teams are available for one-on-one consultations to help municipalities prepare strong applications.