Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $255 million in statewide grants available for water infrastructure projects during a visit to Hauppauge’s Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center on Thursday.
The grant money will include $20 million to upgrade outdated and failing septic systems and cesspools in Suffolk County as part of the State’s Septic Replacement Program.
“Every New Yorker deserves access to safe, clean water and today’s announcement represents the latest installment in the State’s nation-leading investment to tackle emerging contaminants and protect residents and the environment from dangerous pollutants,” Hochul said. “These strategic investments will make lifesaving improvements to our water infrastructure and safeguard drinking water for millions of people on Long Island.”
Long Island labor leaders, elected officials, and environmental activists attended the event and lauded the incoming funds to fix Long Island’s aging water infrastructure. Local government water departments can apply for the grants for wastewater and drinking water projects here from now through 5 p.m. Sept. 9.
“Improving and updating treatment of our wastewater and drinking water systems is imperative to making Long Island sustainable and protecting public health,” said Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito. “The fight to protect and restore our island’s water quality is in full force and funding is drastically needed for us to win this battle.”
In addition to Thursday’s announcement, municipalities can also apply for water quality grants through the states’ Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
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