EFC awards $416m grants to improve water quality in New York, US
- January 16, 2020
- Posted by: Lyn Wilson
- Category: Corporate, Engineering, Environmental, Investment and Finance, Technology & Innovation, Water Treatment, North America
Governor of New York State, Andrew M. Cuomo, announced in December 2019 that more than $416m has been awarded by the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Inter Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program. $3 billion has been made available to address critical water infrastructure needs due to the management of Governor Cuomo, New York State’s 2017 Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the FY 2020 Enacted Budget.
The award has been allotted to municipalities for infrastructure projects that safeguard public health or help improve the quality of drinking water.
Governor Cuomo said:
“By investing in improving our state’s water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity while also protecting our natural resources. These investments in our communities will help ensure residents in every corner of the state have access to safe, clean drinking water.”
The grants support nearly $1.6 billion in project costs. More than $120m has been apportioned by the State EFC, together with the Department of Health(DOH) to finance 37 projects to assist with the cost of installing systems addressing emerging contaminants such as Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and 1,4-Dioxane(including system upgrades and innovative technologies) in the Long Island communities. This will cover up to 60 percent of the cost of each project.
Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said:
“This substantial investment is exactly what is needed to address the issue of emerging contaminants, like 1,4- Dioxane, in Long Island’s water. “
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said:
“The plan to rebuild and improve the state’s vast network of drinking water infrastructure is truly transformational. The EFC and DOH are working closely with communities across the state to design and creatively finance state-of-the-art supply systems that utilize cutting-edge technologies to protect precious drinking water from emerging contaminants and other 21st Century challenges.”
New York State Water Quality Rapid Response Team (both established and directed by Governor Cuomo) provides immediate technical assistance to communities interested in assessing system needs and applying for grant funding and continues in its quest of enforcing assertive means in order to reduce exposure to emerging contaminants in drinking water .