Mount Vernon Inks $6M In Contracts To 'Jump Start' Sewer Fixes

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Mount Vernon is beginning to see "tangible results" of a multi-million dollar commitment to fixing a long neglected sewer system that has caused residents to endure what has been described by officials as "third world conditions."

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Thursday that the Mount Vernon City Council has approved $6 million in NYS-funded contracts that will allow for work to move forward in addressing the city's decaying water and wastewater infrastructure. The contracts are the first ones approved under NYS's historic $150 million investment to address Mount Vernon's longstanding water and wastewater infrastructure issues and healing ongoing public health challenges.

SEE ALSO: 'Monumental' Sewer Project To Address Long Neglected Crisis

The milestone marks the start of priority sewer repairs and long-term planning for future wastewater projects. The approval by the Mount Vernon City Council will also connect city officials with new access to technical, managerial and financial consultants for guidance.

"Today's announcement is about action for Mount Vernon. It's about making good on the promises we made in April when we announced the historic $150 million investment to start rebuilding the City's crumbling water and sewer systems," Gov. Hochul said. "I envisioned moments like this - seeing the tangible results for the City and taking a big step towards ensuring that Mount Vernon residents, businesses and visitors have access to the reliable water and sewer infrastructure systems that they deserve."

The contracts are funded by grants through the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation in collaboration with the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health. The new contracts allow for immediate actions:

• $5 million to plan, design and construct priority wastewater projects identified in Mount Vernon's Illicit Discharge Action Plan from June 2022. The plan identifies all discharges to the storm sewer system that are not specifically stormwater, such as leaking sanitary sewers.
• $500,000 for sewer cleaning services and closed-circuit TV inspection of sewer lines to support capital improvement project planning. Televising the lines will help in identifying blockages, leaks or potential failures in the system.
• $500,000 for professional consultants to provide training, technical, managerial, and financial assessments, funding application assistance and on-site technical assistance.

"As Mayor of a historically marginalized community on the edge of one of the wealthiest counties in the country, I am excited that Governor Hochul has embraced both the theory and practical application of equitable environmental infrastructure and deviated from the color-blind health and environmental injustices of the past," Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said. "For decades, inferior infrastructure and housing have negatively influenced learning outcomes and lifetime earning potential in communities of color and Mount Vernon is no different. This landmark investment from the State will allow the City to secure the expertise necessary to jumpstart capital projects alongside our Public Works staff to improve the long-term wealth and welfare of all Mount Vernon residents."

In April, Gov. Hochul, Mayor Patterson-Howard and Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced the $150 million in water and sewer infrastructure investment in Mount Vernon. An additional $3 million in federal funding was set aside to assist Mount Vernon residents impacted by the sewer and water infrastructure crisis in the city through the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery's Healthy Homes pilot program in July. The initiative, administered by GOSR and targeted to the most frequently impacted and high-risk properties, will mitigate environmental hazards and make resiliency upgrades to private property. Participating homes may be eligible for repair to wastewater damage, installation of sewage backflow prevention measures, mitigation of lead infiltration to water within homes and other needed environmental remediation.

SEE ALSO:

• $3M In New Aid For Homeowners Enduring Sewer Woes In Mount Vernon
• 'Monumental' Sewer Project To Address Long Neglected Crisis
• City Gets $3M To Kickstart Desperately Needed Sewer Work
• 'Third World Conditions' Found by Environmentalist On Sewer Tour
• US Sues City Whose Raw Sewage Flows Freely
• More Pollution, Another Fine For Mount Vernon
• Feds Sue Mount Vernon To Force Sewer Cleanup