By Hank Russell
The state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Board of Directors has recently given out more than $14 million in funding to Long Island governments and local water districts and authorities that they said will help these areas improve the quality of their drinking water.
The Carle Place Water District received $4,589,400 in Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) funding. The money will be used to install two granular activated carbon (GAC) absorption treatment systems and associated appurtenances at Wells 3 and 4 to treat perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) contamination.
The Village of Mineola was the recipient of a $5 million WIIA grant. The village plans to install a new GAC filtration system to remove PFOA and PFOS at Well No. 1.
The Roslyn Water District was given a WIIA grant in the amount of $2,984,700. The district will use the money to pay for the installation of a GAC treatment system at Plant No. 5 to remove PFAS.
The Suffolk County Water Authority recently received $1.85 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to install 21,000 linear feet of water main in the hamlet of Calverton. According to the state, BIL funding for water and sewer infrastructure is administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) through the State Revolving Funds. Under Congress, BIL funding is targeted to disadvantaged communities.
The funding is part of a $665 million financial assistance program from EFC to fund water infrastructure improvement projects statewide.
“No one in New York should ever fear that they don’t have access to clean water,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “With this funding, we are safeguarding the health and well-being of New Yorkers, providing critical resources to local economies, creating jobs and protecting our natural resources.”
“Since day one, Governor Hochul has insisted upon, and EFC has taken actions to make sure New Yorkers can afford safe drinking water and reliable clean water systems,” said Maureen A. Coleman, EFC’s president and CEO. “From the North Country to New York City and beyond, EFC’s financial assistance will get shovels in the ground for critical projects that safeguard public health and improve water quality while protecting the pockets of New Yorkers.”