New York’s 2017-18 state budget has included a new clean water infrastructure bill that will allocate $2.5 billion for projects across the state. The money will be used to repair and replace old pipes and water mains to ensure clean drinking water, as well as making source water land acquisitions free from pollution.
The funding is a $500 million increase over the executive proposal. Members of the Western New York State Legislative Delegation praised the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 upon announcing the bill this week.
“Clean water is absolutely essential to our health and safety,” Assemblyman Sean Ryan (D-Buffalo) said. “We’ve seen far too many water main breaks and drinking water contamination from that threaten the health of our families — it’s important that we make robust investments in replacing old pipes and water mains.”
Sen. Chris Jacobs (R-Buffalo), said that the majority of sewage overflows in the state occur in Erie County due to the age of the county’s water infrastructure.
“Buffalo and Western New York enjoy some of the best fresh water resources in the world,” Jacobs said. “We must maximize its economic development potential for industry while ensuring its safe deliver to all families in our community.”
The funding includes:
- $1 billion to upgrade drinking and sewer infrastructure.
- $350 million for clean water infrastructure projects after 2021.
- $245 million for water quality improvement projects.
- $200 million for drinking and wastewater infrastructure improvements in New York City’s watershed.
- $150 million for inter-municipal water infrastructure grants.
- $130 million for drinking water remediation and mitigation of contaminated drinking water.
- $110 million for land acquisition projects for source water protection.
- $100 million for municipal water quality infrastructure programs.
- $75 million for upgrades and replacements of septic systems and cesspools.
- $50 million for green infrastructure projects.
- $50 million for concentrated animal feeding operations.
- $20 million for the replacement of lead drinking water service lines.
- $10 million for a water infrastructure emergency loan fund.
- $10 million for IT system upgrades related to mapping technologies.
