New York state officials have selected 27 municipalities for a program to test and improve the state’s Asset Management Guide for Publicly Owned Treatment Works.
The Asset Management Guide provides defined procedures to assess and track wastewater infrastructure assets throughout their lifecycles. The procedures could help facilities improve their resiliency, efficiency, and longevity.
"The State's Asset Management Program advances resources and expertise to help municipal leaders establish robust programs to maintain and upgrade essential wastewater infrastructure systems," says Governor Kathy Hochul. "My administration is committed to helping local communities across the state protect wastewater systems that are often a municipality's single-most valuable asset. By evaluating flood resilience needs, these local asset management programs will help our communities mitigate the effects of climate change and better prepare for the future."
The program is administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). It builds upon a successful $3 million pilot, completed in 2021, which helped 10 local governments across the state inventory their wastewater assets, identify risks to their wastewater infrastructure, and determine cost-effective, tangible solutions to address those risks.
The second phase of the State's Asset Management Program will provide engineering consultant planning services, software management systems, and technical training to local governments.
The consulting services, provided by 11 unique engineering firms, will assist municipalities in identifying weaknesses in their current systems to promote repairs before a system failure occurs. The ability to minimize costly emergency repairs and prevent service disruptions will help protect public health and the environment.
Funding for the program totals $10 million, made available through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, and is administered by EFC in partnership with DEC. EFC contracted with Arcadis of New York Inc. to serve as program advisor, and 10 additional engineering firms to build local knowledge and capacity across New York State. DEC selected 27 municipalities across the State to participate in the program:
"The Asset Management Program is a proven method to help local officials identify necessary projects to improve the reliability of their sewer systems and reduce potential risks to public health and the environment,” says Basil Seggos, DEC commissioner and EFC board chair. “With the continued support of Governor Hochul and in collaboration with our partners at EFC, DEC looks forward to building upon the prior success of this beneficial program with an additional 27 municipalities representing 30 wastewater systems."
