By Hank Russell
Two water infrastructure projects are receiving a combined $20.4 million from state and federal funding that was approved by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).
The EFC’s Board of Directors approved low-cost financing and previously announced grants through New York’s water infrastructure investment programs that help communities avoid overly burdensome rate increases.
Some of that money has made its way down to Long Island. The Town of Riverhead received $17.6 million in interest-free financing for the construction of sludge facilities at the water resource recovery facility and waste facility. The project will reduce operational expenses and environmental impacts to protect water quality in the Peconic River.
The Suffolk County Water Authority was awarded $2.8 million in state grants for the construction of granular activated carbon absorption vessels to remove PFAS from Well No. 3 at the Hawkins Road Well Field and Pump Station, and Well Nos. 2A and 3A at the Station Road well field.
Funding is provided through three sources:
- 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. EFC is currently reviewing applications for $425 million in grant funding made available through these programs, representing the first installment of the governor’s $3.75 billion clean water investment plan delivered in the FY 2027 Enacted State Budget.
- The State’s Green Resiliency Grants — launched by Hochul in 2023 to protect New Yorkers from the impacts of extreme weather, with $121 million awarded to date.
“Affordability means investing before problems become crises,” Hochul said. “That’s why we’re making historic investments to help communities modernize their water infrastructure, protect public health and keep costs low for families across New York.”
EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Governor Hochul’s commitment to affordability is delivering real savings to pockets and pocketbooks across the state. Her nation-leading investments in clean water infrastructure fulfill her promise to make essential needs affordable for all New Yorkers, in communities both large and small. Every grant and low-cost loan helps local governments safeguard public health and protect the environment while reducing the impact on household water and sewer bills.”