Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE - Sag Harbor) today announced that $275 million in grant funding is available to municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect or improve water quality and/or public health. This funding, available through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program, is part of the Governor's historic $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017.

More than $1 billion has been allocated through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act to address clean water and drinking water challenges in New York communities. Projects eligible for grant funding include critical water infrastructure projects that address cyanotoxins associated with harmful algal blooms, combined and/or sanitary sewer overflows and impacts from flooding, as well as the rehabilitation of contaminated water supplies.

Municipalities, county or town improvement districts and certain other entities are eligible to apply for funding. The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health will assess all projects for which applications have been received. They will evaluate them based on several factors, such as protection of water quality, benefits to public health and readiness to proceed expeditiously.

Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Wastewater Infrastructure Projects

Depending on the estimated cost of the project, successful applicants may receive Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant funding for up to 25 percent of net eligible project costs, or a maximum of $25 million, whichever is less.

Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects

Applicants seeking funding for a drinking water project are eligible to receive grants of either 60 percent of net eligible project costs, or $3 million, whichever is less.

Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Clean Water and Drinking Water Projects

Cooperating municipalities with an eligible project may receive an award limited to the lesser of $10 million or 40% of net eligible project costs.

Grant applications and additional information are now available here and must be submitted along with any required supporting documentation to: NYSWaterGrants@efc.ny.gov by September 7th, 2018.

In addition to grant programs, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation administers the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which offer zero or low-interest financing to communities to further reduce the cost of water infrastructure projects. For more information, please visit the CWSRF or DWSRF pages on the EFC website.