Senator Murphy Announces State Will Pour $4 Million Into Water Infrastructure Projects in Westchester and Dutchess Country

Albany, NY - It may seem like eons ago that you could go to the kitchen, turn on the tap and have a clean, refreshing glass of water. For many people, summertime jaunts to the lake have also sadly gone by the wayside. Senator Terrence Murphy believes that everyone has the right to have safe and clean water.  He is pleased to announce that $4,068,987 million in grants has been made available to finance water infrastructure projects in Westchester and Dutchess County.
 
The funding was approved in this year's budget as part of a record investment by New York State in addressing local water issues. Two locations in Westchester County will receive a total of $751,487. The Village of Croton-on-Hudson has been allocated $271,650 in funds and the Town of North Salem will get $479,837. The Village of Pawling in Dutchess County will receive $3,317,500.
 
The projects will include upgrades and replacements for drinking water systems, filtration plants and water mains, as well as the construction or enhancement of wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and sewer systems.
 
The funds are part of a $34 million in grants recently announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo to support 24 essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the Mid-Hudson Valley. These grants are part of a $255 million statewide investment funded through New York's Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), and the new Water Infrastructure Grants Program (IMG).
 
"Many towns and villages in the 40th Senate District are facing water infrastructure challenges," said Senator Murphy. "Contaminated water or a faltering sewer system can have a direct impact on quality life, health and tourism. These investments in water infrastructure will provide local municipalities with the resources they need to upgrade their systems and safeguard community water supplies."
 
"Supplying clean drinking water to residents is one of the most important services local governments provide," said Dr. Greg Schmidt, Mayor of Croton-on-Hudson. "Like many municipalities across New York, the Village is dealing with aging water infrastructure and this funding support is vital in our efforts to upgrade Croton's water delivery systems."
 
Warren Lucas, North Salem Town Supervisor said, "This program is critically important to local municipalities as all of us attempt to deal with infrastructure problems that have been many decades in the making. We have seen in places like Flint, Michigan what can happen when a workable problem left unresolved becomes a crisis. The funds from this grant allow us to be more pro-active and will go a long way in rectifying our infrastructure problems while helping to stimulate economic development.  I want to thank Senator Murphy for the work he's done in looking out for our local governments and properly funding the NYS Drinking Water Grant program."
 
Robert Liffland, Mayor of the Village of Pawling commented, "I want to thank the Governor for choosing the Village of Pawling to receive this grant money. I would also like to thank Senator Murphy for his continued efforts on behalf of Pawling, as well as all the people involved in making this decision. The money will go toward a much needed sewer plant. It will help create jobs and boost the village's economic development."
 
The $34 million in grant funds earmarked for the Mid-Hudson Valley will leverage $123 million in total project costs providing over $64 million in taxpayer savings. This investment will also create 2,000 jobs across the region. Since 2015, inclusive of this latest round of funding, communities in the Mid-Hudson Valley have received a total of $68 million in WIIA and IMG grant funds supporting $259 million in total project costs.
 
In addition to grants, the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) provides interest-free and low-interest loans to communities further enhancing the taxpayer savings related to the development of these projects. The grants are expected to be supplemented with nearly $68 million in t low-cost loans.
 
New York State leads the nation with the largest annual investment in water-quality infrastructure of any state. Since 2011, the EFC has provided more than $11.5 billion in subsidized loans, grants and loan re-financings to local governments.