ALBANY—New York State is making $325 million in grants available for clean water infrastructure projects through the next round of the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs. Applications and full eligibility criteria will become available at efc.ny.gov on Mon., Feb. 5.

“New York is committed to funding water infrastructure upgrades because every person has a right to clean water,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul on Jan. 15 when making the announcement. This round of WIIA/ IMG boasts improvements to maximize benefits for rural and disadvantaged communities that include:

• 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, EFC is directed to increase water infrastructure grants for small rural communities from 25% to 50% 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, state officials said.
• 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. Communities can request a meeting, register for upcoming webinars, and learn more at efc.ny.gov/cat.
• Protecting drinking water. To address the threat of PFAs, awards for emerging contaminant projects will be increased from 60% to 70% of net eligible project costs. This change is intended to 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). The plan is to expand the success of these programs by assisting municipalities that have often struggled with accessing clean water grants and delivering affordable projects.

EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman noted the state is trying to remove barriers that have traditionally held communities back from accessing significant investments in water infrastructure. “The initiatives we’re implementing will help expand the WIIA/ IMG grant programs’ legacy of modernizing aging systems and protecting drinking water. Together, in partnership with local governments, we are taking yet another giant step toward a cleaner, more resilient future that will ensure safe drinking water for all New Yorkers and protect our public health and invaluable natural resources.”

The grant funding announcement builds on the success of New York State’s nation-leading investment in clean water infrastructure, the $4.2-billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, and the continued focus on equity and environmental justice. Gov. Hochul announced $479 million in WIIA, IMG and septic replacement grant awards in December, including the first funding awarded under the Environmental Bond Act. More than two thirds of the funding was awarded to projects serving disadvantaged communities and potential environmental justice areas, underscoring the state’s commitment to awarding grant funding to communities that need it most.