August 31, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $11 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR RENSSELAER COUNTY DRINKING WATER PROJECTS
Governor David A. Paterson today announced $11.4 million for drinking water projects in Rensselaer County through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects 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 include:
- The Town of Poestenkill in Rensselaer County will receive $10.2 million to support the planning, design and construction 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 Town of Schodack in Rensselaer County will receive $1.2 million to support the planning, design and construction of a project to address water issues in two of the town's districts. The project will include the interconnection of Water District No. 3 (Maple Crest) to Water District No.1 (Clearview). Water District No. 1 improvements also include the replacement of asbestos-cement pipe, additional chlorine contact time and improvements to the existing pump station. Water District No. 3 improvements include the construction of a transmission main to provide a direct connection with Water District No. 3, thereby improving flows to meet current and future water demands.
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.”
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.”
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.”
