August 31, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $87 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR DRINKING WATER PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE
Funds to Improve Aging Drinking Water Systems, Create Jobs, and Boost Local Economies
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $87 million for drinking water projects across the State through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A total of 14 projects will receive financing to improve drinking water systems, creating jobs and protecting public health.
“Safe, potable water is necessary for our lives and livelihood and these economic recovery funds will support major capital improvements to our drinking water systems,” Governor Paterson said. “In addition to improving the quality of our water, these funds will also create new jobs and promote economic development. I thank President Obama and our Congressional Delegation for setting aside stimulus funds for these critical projects.”
The funding will support capital improvements to drinking water systems, including the construction of new wells, pumps and pump stations, water storage tanks, and disinfection systems; the replacement of aged water distribution mains; and the expansion of public water to areas currently served by poor quality private wells.
The projects will be supplemented with additional funding through the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. To ensure that the projects proceed quickly, the State Department of Health and the Environmental Facilities Corporation, which co-administer the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, have identified the projects contracted to begin work by February 17, 2010.
Some of the projects that will receive economic recovery funds include:
- The Town of Caneadea in Allegany County will receive $8.3 million to support the planning, design and construction of a project to address various drinking water quality issues. Treatment will be constructed for the existing source. A new well source will also be provided to conform to current standards for supply capacity. The project also includes the construction of a new transmission main, replacement of aged water mains and the provision of public water to areas presently served by poor quality private wells.
- The Town of Marcellus in Onondaga County will receive $6.7 million to support the planning, design and the creation of the Limeledge Water District. Included are the construction of a new distribution system within the Towns of Marcellus and Skaneateles, a new common connection with the Onondaga County Water Authority to serve both the Town and the Village of Marcellus and upgrades for an existing tank in the Village of Marcellus.
- The Town of Hounsfield in Jefferson County will receive $4.7 million to support the planning, design and construction of the Town of Hounsfield Water District No. 3, which will provide public water to an area relying on private wells of insufficient quality and/or quantity. The project includes the installation of a new distribution system and pump station with the source of water being the Village of Sackets Harbor. An existing storage tank in the Village, which has reached the end of its useful service life, will also be replaced.
- The City of Amsterdam in Montgomery County will receive $10.6 million to support the planning, design and construction for a major upgrade of the City's existing water treatment plant, which is over 30 years old and cannot meet current standards. The work includes a new sedimentation/clarification process to improve pre-filter solids removal, a new ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system; a new carbon contact system for taste and odor control, corrosion control treatment and a multi-level intake system at the City's Steele Reservoir.
- The Town of Poestenkill in Rensselaer County will receive $10.2 million to support the planning, design and construction of a new water district to provide public water to the hamlet and Township of Poestenkill. Existing water quality and quantity concerns will be addressed through the provision of the new reliable source of potable water for the area. A distribution system will be constructed, which includes an inter-connection and master meter vault with the Town of Brunswick.
- The Village of Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County will receive $18.8 million to support the construction of a new 6 million gallons per day NYC Catskill Aqueduct Tap with a meter, siphon controls, treatment, and a new pump station. The tap will be located just above the existing tap shared by Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
- The Suffolk County Water Authority in Suffolk County will receive $3.8 million to support the planning, design and construction to provide public water to the Browns Hills area, a small community with severe water quality issues. The proposed project includes a transmission main to serve these homes and would also provide service to numerous additional existing homes in an area whose water source is vulnerable to saltwater intrusion.
A full list of the projects is available at: http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/pdf/083109_stimulus_drinking_water_list.pdf.
The following statements were provided in support of the drinking water projects:
Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “The economic recovery package is putting people to work updating our aging water infrastructure in counties across New York State. The investment will provide safe, quality drinking water for countless residents, boost the local economy and save or create jobs in the process.”
Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “This is a great investment for New York. These federal funds will create new jobs, rebuild critical infrastructure, help us clean up the environment and deliver clean drinking water to New York families. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”
Congressman Michael Arcuri said: “Aging infrastructure deprives too many New Yorkers of access to a clean, reliable water supply. This funding is especially important for rural areas like the Village of Unadilla, where $3.2 million in Recovery dollars will translate into vital improvements and the creation of much-needed jobs. I look forward to following the progress of these projects in my district, and will continue working to ensure that other critical water projects receive the funding they need.”
Congressman Tim Bishop said: “In Congress, I have been working to increase funding for clean water infrastructure and wastewater treatment because these are major concerns for residents throughout Suffolk County. This injection of federal recovery funding to the Browns Hills area is valuable and timely.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: “No responsibility is more basic than ensuring the safety of public water. I am pleased federal stimulus funding will help our State improve drinking water systems, which will create jobs and protect public health.”
Congressman Daniel Maffei said: “Central New York has experienced chronic water infrastructure problems for decades. It is a great investment of Recovery Act dollars to ensure the residents of Marcellus and across the State have safe, reliable drinking water.”
Congressman Paul Tonko said: “Throughout Upstate New York there is a dire need to rebuild, update and modernize our crumbling sewer and water infrastructure. I applaud Governor Paterson and his Economic Recovery Cabinet for recognizing these important projects. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is designed to make our aging infrastructure safer and more efficient. This project not only provides needed employment opportunities, but also opens the door for new economic development in Amsterdam, as a newer, safer and more efficient water system will attract new investment opportunities right in the core of our cities.”
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. said: “New York’s drinking water systems are second to none when it comes to excellent water quality and quantity, but there is a continued need to reinvest in the critical drinking water infrastructure needed to supply drinking water to our 20 million residents.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “New York has made major progress in improving water quality since the passage of the Clean Water Act. The last thing we want to do is turn back the clock. Thanks to Governor Paterson and our Congressional delegation, New York has secured a record amount for stimulus-funded clean water projects that will help communities around the State struggling to repair old infrastructure systems, boost local economies, and protect water quality for this and future generations.”
Environmental Protection Agency Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou said: “This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will not only ensure clean water, which is vital to the health of every city and town across New York State, but also create jobs, provide a boost to local economies and protect public health.”
Acting President of the State Environmental Facilities Corporation Matthew Millea said: “Our partners at the Department of Health have done an exemplary job in working to identify these communities and ensure that they benefit from the federal stimulus program. We look forward to doing our part to help make these important public health projects a reality.”
Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said: “This funding will enable the towns of Richland and Hounsfield to move forward with these important projects to install the infrastructure needed for safe, clean and dependable drinking water. This funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is an investment in our communities. It will not only bring jobs to Oswego and Jefferson Counties and encourage development, but also ensure that our families, friends and neighbors have a steady supply of quality drinking water.”
Senator Brian X. Foley said: “Funding for capital projects that improve New York State’s ‘water infrastructure’ will result in cleaner, healthier water and the creation of hundreds of new jobs. I am particularly pleased with the $3.8 grant approved for the Suffolk County Water Authority, which will help the Authority provide clean water to residents in parts of Suffolk County. I thank Governor Paterson for the prompt approval of these important projects and look forward to continue working with him to create new jobs and help build a stronger, healthier New York State.”
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer said: “I want to thank Governor Paterson for securing federal stimulus funds for the construction of a new Catskill Aqueduct Tap in Briarcliff Manor. This capital improvement will protect our most essential natural resource –water- while creating new jobs and fostering economic development in Westchester County.”
Senator Antoine Thompson said: “Investments that protect our water and create jobs are critical to New York’s future. I applaud Governor Paterson for providing strong environmental leadership.”
Assemblyman Marc Alessi said: “This funding will provide residents of the Browns Hills area with access to clean, reliable drinking water without burdening local property taxpayers. Clean water infrastructure is one of the most important investments we can make, and I look forward to seeing Suffolk County complete this project that will improve the quality of our drinking water, create jobs, and help protect the environment.”
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said: “I’d like to thank the Obama Administration, our Congressional Delegation, and Governor Paterson for securing stimulus funding to support major improvements to our drinking water systems. Along with clean water, these funds will help create jobs and promote economic development in Westchester.”
Assemblywoman Joan Christensen said: “Residents and businesses in Marcellus will benefit from the creation of the Limeledge Water District. Even during this difficult recession we must not shy away from making critical infrastructure improvements that help improve communities and at the same time put people back to work. I thank Governor Paterson and the New York Congressional delegation for advocating for these stimulus funds.”
Assemblywoman Sandra Galef said: “I am pleased to see federal stimulus dollars coming to our region ensuring a long term safe and clean water supply, and particularly for the Village of Briarcliff Manor, which I represent. The local benefits to infrastructure will be significant. This large scale construction project will also create job opportunities which are much needed at this time. Thank you to the Department of Health and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for shepherding these drinking water projects through the ARRA process.”
Assemblyman Tim Gordon said: “This much needed funding will help ensure clean, reliable drinking water for residents without burdening local property taxpayers. The federal stimulus funds will also permit the much-needed improvements to area pump stations while creating jobs. Since water quality is imperative to the overall health of our community, I look forward to seeing these improvements become a reality.” Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, Environmental Conservation Chair, said: “New York’s clean water infrastructure will receive a timely and much needed benefit from this federal-state partnership, and hopefully serve as a model for future efforts.”
