Orangetown Gets $2 Million Loan to Strengthen Water Systems Against Extreme Storms

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State is helping municipalities strengthen their water infrastructure through more than $114 million in zero and low-interest loans.

These loans will support improvements at 16 wastewater facilities and four drinking water systems. Six of these projects will also make facilities and systems more resilient in the face of extreme weather—including one in Rockland County.

“From Hurricane Irene to Superstorm Sandy and beyond, our state has felt the new reality of extreme weather – and it is crucial that we strengthen our infrastructure to meet the challenges of the future,” Cuomo said. “With this funding, we are helping local government prepare for the next major storm through vital infrastructure projects that protect both New York’s residents and water supplies.”

The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) today approved $31.9 million ($1.2 million grants, $30.7 million loans) for six storm-related projects:

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“Whether its new technology for Wallkill or repairs to aging equipment in Orangetown, New York State is helping local governments protect their drinking water and wastewater systems from flooding and other storm-related damage,” said EFC President and CEO Sabrina M. Ty. “Our Storm Mitigation fund is helping communities in the 14 counties affected by Superstorm Sandy, building back local water facilities better and stronger.”

“The cleanliness of the state’s water supplies is of critical importance to the health of all New Yorkers,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. “Major storms can quickly devastate our water systems. But with the help of zero- and low-interest loans from the state, local municipalities can make the infrastructure improvements that will keep our water systems safe and clean.”

Acting DEC Commissioner Marc Gerstman said, “Communities in parts of New York State are still feeling the effects of the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy and other weather related events. This action by EFC is another critical step forward in achieving Governor Cuomo’s promise to better prepare NY for these events by building smarter more resilient infrastructure.”

EFC also approved local-government assistance funding for:

• • · $35.4 million in zero-interest and low-interest loans for five wastewater projects in Westchester County.· $20.5 million (half interest-free) to improve the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant. Previous wastewater upgrades by Onondaga County have improved water quality in Onondaga Lake;· $1.26 million of interest-free financing for a waterfront revitalization project in the Village of Penn Yan (Yates County). New sewers, pump stations and other improvements to the wastewater collection system along Hicks, Waddell and Monell streets will prepare the waterfront for commercial and residential development of the former Penn Yan Boat Factory;· $2 million grant and a $684,665 interest-free loan for the Town of Newcomb (Essex County) to improve the quality of its drinking water by installing new groundwater sources and upgrading the distribution system in the Winebrook Hills Water District; and,· $6.5 million zero-interest loan to the Village of Trumansburg (Tompkins County) to help correct discharge violations at the wastewater treatment plant on Lake Road. Designed with the help of a $19,840 state planning grant, the project will also save money by lowering the plant’s energy costs.
  
  

Additionally, four 30-year, interest-free loans, totaling $15.8 million, were approved today for infrastructure improvements completed in the Village of Saranac Lake (Franklin County); the City of Amsterdam (Montgomery County), the Village of Oxford (Chenango County) and the Town of Malone (Franklin County).

New York State leads the nation with the largest annual investment in water-quality infrastructure of any state. Since 2011, New York State has financed more than $6.7 billion in critical water and wastewater infrastructure investments – the largest four-year investment since the inception of the revolving loan funds in 1987.

The EFC is currently accepting applications from local governments for $50 million in state grants for critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act provides $200 million in grant funding over three fiscal years, with $50 million in the first year and $75 million each year for the last two years. This year, $30 million will be available for wastewater infrastructure projects and $20 million will be available for drinking water projects, which will be administered by the EFC, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the state Department of Health.

Applications for both wastewater and drinking water projects are due by September 4, 2015. More information on the grant program and applications are available atwww.efc.ny.gov/NYSwatergrants.