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GOVERNOR SPITZER ANNOUNCES $2.67 MILLION FOR INDIAN LAKE WATER PROJECT
State Funding to Ensure Safe Drinking Water

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced state funding for the Town of Indian Lake in Hamilton County to help ensure safe drinking water for residents. The $2.67 million funding package, provided through the New York State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), will enable the Town to perform needed upgrades to comply with state and federal water quality standards, improve operating efficiencies and conserve water. The funding package, which is administered by the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), includes a $2 million grant as well as $670,000 in interest free financing.

To ensure that the Town’s water supply meets regulatory standards and is safe to drink, the Town will install a new ground water well system that will include iron, manganese and disinfection treatment. In addition, the leaking water storage tank and distribution system will be upgraded to improve water flow, pressure and save water. Water meters will also be installed to improve system operations and conserve water. Construction is expected to begin in March 2008 and be completed in October 2008.

“This funding package for Indian Lake’s drinking water project is a significant part of our efforts to protect public health and aid in economic revitalization,” said Governor Spitzer. “Providing adequate funding for urgent drinking water infrastructure improvements is critically important to communities across the state.”

With the grant and interest savings over the 30-year financing term, the Town of Indian Lake will realize a savings of $3.9 million.

Senator Betty Little said: “Safe drinking water is priceless but providing it can be very costly, particularly for a rural community like Indian Lake that has a limited tax base. This funding will provide the financial means to not only ensure the residents here have a quality water supply, but that the system is efficient and cost effective. I want to thank Governor Spitzer and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for recognizing this community’s need and for making the funding available.”

Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward said: “The natural splendor of our Adirondack Region often obscures the recognition that our towns and villages suffer from failing, antiquated infrastructure. This funding will ensure that Indian Lake will enjoy the most basic of needs – safe drinking water. I look forward to the use of the revolving fund to help more communities within the Blue Line.”

Indian Lake Town Supervisor Barry Hutchins said: “Governor Spitzer sure picked one of the most important issues to prioritize here in Upstate New York. Water infrastructure improvements are very costly and one of the most important needs of small communities. We thank him and all involved in addressing our local needs.”

State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. said: “This grant and the interest-free financing provided by the DWSRF will enable the Town to comply with state and federal water quality standards with the installation of new wells and system upgrades, which is a vital public health project.”

EFC Acting President Matthew Millea said: “The DWSRF will enable the Town of Indian Lake to provide the community with greatly needed water system improvements at a significant cost savings. Thanks to Governor Spitzer’s support for the DWSRF program, the State provides an important mechanism for communities in need of financial help to ensure that residents have safe and affordable drinking water.”

The Department of Health (DOH) is currently conducting the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s 2007 drinking water infrastructure needs assessment to examine the water system upgrade needs of New York State communities.

The DWSRF is administered by EFC and DOH. Since 1997, the DWSRF program has provided more than $2 billion in low-cost financing and grants and $139.3 million in subsidies for 543 drinking water improvement projects throughout New York State.

For more information on the DWSRF, visit EFC's and DOH’s websites at www.nysefc.org and www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/water/drinking/water.htm.