NY makes $325 million available for water infrastructure projects

Program modified to maximize benefits for small, rural and disadvantaged communities

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $325 million in grants is available for clean water infrastructure projects through the next round of the State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs.

This action immediately delivers on Governor Hochul’s clean water funding commitments announced in her 2024 State of the State, which include a series of changes to maximize benefits for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.

“New York is committed to funding water infrastructure upgrades because every person has a right to clean water,” Hochul said. “With this additional funding for communities across the state, we are providing critical resources to local economies, creating jobs, and safeguarding the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.”

This round of WIIA/IMG boasts improvements announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State to maximize benefits for rural and disadvantaged communities, including:

• Additional benefits for rural communities. Even with extensive financial support from the State, some municipalities are left passing a large financial burden to their ratepayers. To alleviate this burden on small, rural, and disadvantaged communities, Governor Hochul is directing EFC to increase water infrastructure grants for small rural communities from 25 percent to 50 percent of net eligible project costs. This change will support smaller communities, like those in the Adirondacks, which often struggle with accessing clean water grants and delivering affordable projects.
• Expanding community resources to ensure equitable access to funding opportunities. Small, rural, and disadvantaged communities are particularly impacted by deteriorating water infrastructure and emerging contaminants, and often do not possess the resources and capacity necessary to advance a project for infrastructure improvement. Governor Hochul is expanding EFC’s Community Assistance Teams program that launched in 2023 to provide essential support for updating New York’s critical water infrastructure. The teams are ready to engage with any community that needs help with its water infrastructure. Communities can request a meeting, register for upcoming webinars, and learn more at efc.ny.gov/cat.
• Protecting drinking water. Continuing New York’s national leadership on addressing the threat of PFAS, Governor Hochul is increasing awards for emerging contaminant projects from 60% to 70% of net eligible project costs. This change will help ensure cost is not a barrier for communities working to make life-saving investments that eliminate risks to their drinking water supplies.

The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) administers the WIIA and IMG programs in coordination with the Departments of Health (DOH) and Environmental Conservation (DEC). Governor Hochul’s plans will expand the success of these programs by assisting municipalities that have often struggled with accessing clean water grants and delivering affordable projects.

Applications and full eligibility criteria will become available at efc.ny.gov on Monday, Feb. 5.