August 31, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $18 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR DRINKING WATER PROJECTS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
Funds to Improve Aging Drinking Water Systems, Create Jobs, and Boost Local Economies
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $18.6 million for drinking water projects in Central New York through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Projects in Onondaga and Oswego counties will improve drinking water systems, create jobs and better protect public health. The Governor announced a total of $87 million for 14 such projects across the State.
“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 in Central New York include:
- The Town of Marcellus in Onondaga County will receive $6.7 million to support the planning, design and creation of the Limeledge Water District. Included are the construction of a new distribution system within the Towns of Marcellus and Skaneatles, 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 Richland in Oswego County will receive $11.9 million to support the planning, design and construction of the Town of Richland Water District #2. The project will provide water to an area not currently served by public water and to an existing public water system that has wells that require replacement or treatment. The Town has purchased the Felix-Schoeller well field and will upgrade two of the existing wells, construct a treatment building, storage tank, pump station, and distribution mains to serve the new water district.
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.
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 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.”
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 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.”
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.”
