RYE, NY – The Westchester Joint Water Works will receive a $3.2 million grant to build a new ultraviolet disinfection facility at the Rye Lake Pumping Station.
Local governments face many challenges in making the necessary improvements to their water supply, said Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos . “New York State is making generational investments to help communities across the state meet long-standing needs to upgrade and improve aging water infrastructure.”
The WJWW is a non-profit public benefit corporation of the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck and Harrison. The WJWW provides retail water to its member municipalities and parts of the towns of Rye and New Rochelle. It also sells wholesale water to Larchmont and Suez Water Westchester.
The Rye Lake Pumping Station is located at 900 Lake St. and sits on the shore of Lake Rye, a few feet off Interstate 684. Lake Rye is connected to the Kensico Reservoir water system, which contains over 30 billion gallons of water at full capacity.
This state award is part of a $41 million funding package that includes low-cost loans and previously awarded grants, allowing recipients to advance their water and sewer infrastructure projects, announced Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday.
“New York State is committed to providing communities with the resources to upgrade water and sewer systems,” said Hochul, who plans to put a $4 million clean water initiative on the pipeline. ballot in November.
Hudson Valley Drinking Water Project Funding Approved:
- Westchester Joint Water Works in Westchester County – $3,200,000 inter-municipal grant to construct a new ultraviolet disinfection facility at the Rye Lake Pumping Station.
- Town of Crawford in Orange County – Grant of $2,311,680, $711,329 in interest-free short-term financing and $1,422,658 in market-rate short-term financing for the construction of two producing wells and of a water treatment building, and the installation of approximately 6,100 feet of water main to connect the treatment facility to the distribution system.
- New York City Municipal Water Financing Authority – $150,000,000 in long-term leveraged financing for the design and construction of the Croton Water Filtration Plant in the Bronx and associated facilities.
- Village of Nyack in Rockland County – $3,000,000 grant to replace approximately 13,000 linear feet of water main.
- City of Cairo in Greene County – $1,607,457 in interest-free long-term financing to develop additional groundwater source capacity; improve the Park Well site and existing finished water storage tank, upgrade the distribution system and install new water meters and meter reading equipment.
In addition, long-term leveraged financing of $284 million will help the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority design and construct a variety of combined sewer overflow, sewage collection and water improvement projects. the sewage treatment plant that would affect the Hudson River.
“New York’s significant fiscal commitment to improving source water and drinking water quality statewide is demonstrated in the wastewater and drinking water projects funded here,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “The impact of these necessary upgrades will be measured in overall public health for years to come, and I urge eligible communities to take advantage of this assistance.”
A first step to securing funding for local water quality projects like these is local government participation in the federal Clean Watershed Needs Survey beginning in March, officials said. This affects the amount of federal money that will be allocated to New York State to fund future drinking water infrastructure projects.
“We must ensure that we maintain the high level of federal revolving funds for clean water that the state receives,” said Maureen A. Coleman, president and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation. “That’s why it’s critical that our municipal partners participate in the Clean Watershed Needs Survey which begins next month.”
Municipalities will be asked to document their community’s wastewater treatment infrastructure needs to the CFE for submission to the EPA.
Also to protect New Yorkers’ drinking water, Hochul plans to put $4 billion on the ballot in November for an environmental bond act for clean water, clean air and green jobs.
If approved by voters, the initiative will provide support to protect and improve water resources; restore critical environmental habitats; reduce the risk of flooding; retain additional land and open space; and invest in climate change mitigation projects to reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
“These essential projects will help protect the health and safety of residents, the environment and quality of life as we work together to help residents in all corners of the state have access to safe, clean water and reliable sewage services,” Hochul said.
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