State announces start of grant program to help localities with critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects ~ Read more and access applications ~ O'Mara says program good for local environments, economies, and taxpayers

Albany, N.Y., July 2--State Senator Tom O'Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) today highlighted an announcement by the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and Department of Health (DOH) that $50 million in water infrastructure grants is now available to local governments for assistance in undertaking critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. 

In total over the next three years, $200 million in grants will become available to local governments under the new "Water Infrastructure Improvement Act."

O'Mara, chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, has highlighted the program's creation as one of the environmental highlights of the 2015-2016 state budget approved by the Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo on April 1st.

"We're hopeful that the fund will prove successful in helping localities undertake critical projects, including sewer and pipeline repairs," said O'Mara.  "Also, we're hopeful that this new grant program can represent a long-term model for how the state-local partnership can be strengthened for the good of local environments, local economies and local property taxpayers."

Read this week's announcement, including details on available funding, access to online application forms, and application deadlines at www.efc.ny.gov.

And see the attached copy of the EFC announcement below.