New York to distribute $325M in grants for water infrastructure

New York officials announced that the next round of the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) and Intermunicipal Grant (IMG) programs will make available $325 million in grants.

Applications and full eligibility criteria for the programs will become available at efc.ny.gov on Monday, Feb. 5.

“New York is committed to funding water infrastructure upgrades because every person has a right to clean water,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “With this additional funding for communities across the state, we are providing critical resources to local economies, creating jobs, and safeguarding the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.”

This round of WIIA/IMG boasts improvements to maximize benefits for rural and disadvantaged communities, including:

• Additional benefits for rural communities.
  The Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) will increase water infrastructure grants for small rural communities from 25% to 50% of net eligible project costs. This change will support smaller communities, like those in the Adirondacks, which often struggle with accessing clean water grants and delivering affordable projects.
  
  
• Expanding community resources.
  Small, rural, and disadvantaged communities are particularly impacted by deteriorating water infrastructure and emerging contaminants, and often do not possess the resources and capacity necessary to advance a project for infrastructure improvement. EFC will expand its Community Assistance Teams program that launched in 2023 to provide support for updating New York’s critical water infrastructure. The teams are ready to engage with communities that need help with water infrastructure. Communities can request a meeting, register for upcoming webinars, and learn more at efc.ny.gov/cat.
  
  
• Protecting drinking water.
  The state is increasing awards for emerging contaminant projects from 60% to 70% of net eligible project costs. This change will help ensure cost is not a barrier for communities working to make life-saving investments that eliminate risks to their drinking water supplies.
  
  

EFC administers the WIIA and IMG programs in coordination with the Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation.