Issued: Apr 4, 2023 (3:37pm EDT)
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $270 Million for Drinking Water Infrastructure Upgrades in New York
Made possible by President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, new funding will help ensure communities have access to clean and safe drinking water
NEW YORK – (April 4, 2023) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $270 million to New York essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across the state through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Thanks to a $6 billion boost from Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is increasing the investments available to rebuild the nation's water infrastructure.
"Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Thanks to President Biden's historic infrastructure investments in America, we have an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize America's drinking water systems, support the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of removing 100% of lead pipes across our country, and protect communities from PFAS pollution."
"EPA is putting the funding where the priorities are by working with our state partners to deliver clean water to communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice across New York State and the nation." said U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "This funding is part of the once-in-a lifetime investments we are making to transform infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."
"I am proud I championed and passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is opening the spigot for this whopping $270 million in federal funding to flow to New York this year alone. This life-saving funding will go to making critical upgrades to our aging drinking water infrastructure, including replacing lead pipes and reducing pollution in our water. Access to clean water is a right, and this federal investment will help ensure our families have clean drinking water free of lead and other toxic contaminants," said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. "This federal funding means jobs, jobs, jobs and clean drinking water, which boosts both public health and economic development."
"Clean drinking water is absolutely essential to the health of New York families and communities," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "I am proud to announce that, thanks in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New York is receiving more than $270 million to upgrade its drinking water infrastructure and further our efforts to strengthen public health and economic prosperity. I believe clean drinking water is a human right and I will continue working to lay the foundation for a sustainable, green future."
"Ensuring every New Yorker has access to safe, clean water is a critical priority, and we continue to make historic investments in clean water infrastructure – including a $500 million investment in my Executive Budget – in communities across the state," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "I thank the Biden administration and New York Congressional Delegation for their partnership and this latest investment through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that will help modernize our water infrastructure – creating a greener, healthier New York for generations to come."
"The Biden-Harris Administration is showing their commitment to building a better America by allocating more than $270 million for upgrades toward New York's vital drinking water infrastructure," said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05). "New Yorkers and our visitors should have confidence that our water infrastructure ensures the supply of clean, safe drinking water. The funding provided through the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law promotes public health across our country by addressing emerging contaminants such as PFAS and improving access to clean drinking water for underserved and minority communities."
"Access to clean drinking water is a human right, but in some areas of the United States communities struggle with obtaining clean drinking water," said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06). "In New York, we know that some of our systems of transporting clean drinking water are outdated, and the additional $6 billion dollars, made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help remedy these issues in New York and around the country. I was proud to help pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was elated when it was enacted because I knew of the benefits it would have on our communities, and we are beginning to see some of these benefits take shape."
"The health of New York City communities relies on equal access to safe drinking water," said Congresswoman Velázquez (NY-07). "The funding announced today will help ensure that New Yorkers, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, continue to have access to the clean and dependable water they need. I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that made these investments possible, and I look forward to continuing to work to improve water infrastructure in New York."
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09) said, "Today's announcement is a momentous occasion for my constituents in Brooklyn and all New Yorkers, particularly our underserved communities who are in desperate need of critical investments in drinking water systems. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and the historic funding within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have turned a corner in our fight against climate change and harmful contaminants like lead and PFAS. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund will provide all too important federal funding to modernize and build resiliency for our water systems to help ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for generations to come. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these investments into the livelihood of our communities in the years ahead."
"Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New Yorkers in every corner of our state will benefit from over $270 million in funding for improvements to our drinking water system," said Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-12). "I'm proud to have voted for this funding in Congress which is critical to replacing lead service lines, upgrading treatment facilities to reduce contamination from forever chemicals like PFAS, building additional storage facilities, and much more. Access to clean, safe drinking water is a human right, and today's announcement brings us closer to achieving a 100% lead-free water system to build a healthier New York."
"Infrastructure is more than roads, tunnels, and bridges and encompasses vital systems that keep our communities strong," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "I commend the EPA and the Biden-Harris administration on its ongoing efforts to support our nation's resources and bolster water infrastructure upgrades across New York. Today's investment will help further our efforts to address several critical issues effecting vulnerable communities in ways that strengthen water safety, increase accessibility, and promote public health."
"I've seen firsthand the detrimental impacts on people and neighborhoods when they don't have consistent and adequate access to water that is clean and safe to use and drink, or they have to worry about the safety of their pipes," said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15). "That should never be a reality in America, where everyone deserves access to clean, safe water as a fundamental and essential human right. It's one reason why I was proud to support President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is delivering real results and critical investments across the country to rebuild aging infrastructure and provide states like New York with resources to address some of our most pressing challenges."
"We need to modernize our outdated water infrastructure, so that no young child in Orange County, senior in Ulster County, or small business in Dutchess County ever has to worry about access to clean water," said Representative Pat Ryan (NY-18). "This funding presents a real opportunity to deliver on that promise as we work to accelerate and upgrade our aging infrastructure for communities across the Hudson Valley."
"Whether from frequent main breaks and leaks to dangerous contaminants such as lead, millions of Americans are living without access to safe, clean, reliable water," Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) said. "After decades of ignoring this hidden but critical infrastructure, we finally took action to address our long-neglected drinking water systems with our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I'm thrilled to see the funding I pushed hard for being delivered to New York. I look forward to working alongside the EPA to ensure this vital funding quickly reaches our communities who need it most."
"We know exposure to lead and emerging contaminants like PFAS in drinking water can have serious life-long health effects on entire families," said Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25). "I applaud the Environmental Protecting Agency for this targeted funding to replace lead service lines, and for supporting infrastructure upgrades designed to improve the health and safety of our drinking water—ensuring the next generation won't pay a price for our inaction."
"Access to clean drinking water creates a stronger and healthier future for all communities," said Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26). "Western New York is an older community with a large stock of aging homes. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have the opportunity to advance ongoing efforts to replace water lines with sustainable and modern infrastructure. Investments made by this historic legislation build on the Safe Drinking Water Act by creating good-paying jobs and making long-term contributions to healthier neighborhoods.
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, "This second wave of federal funding awarded to New York State for drinking water infrastructure builds on the incredible investments we've made for water infrastructure under the leadership of Governor Hochul. EFC is working closely with our partners at the Department of Health to ensure this $270 million infrastructure investment is distributed equitably and efficiently."
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and EFC Board Chair Basil Seggos said, "Today's latest drinking water announcement by President Biden, EPA Administrator Regan, and Regional Administrator Garcia will be a great complement to New York's ongoing investments in clean water infrastructure and strengthen our efforts to build stronger, healthier communities across the state. DEC appreciates the ongoing federal and state partnerships that are making a huge difference, especially in environmental justice communities, by delivering this BIL funding and protecting drinking water supplies."
Recent examples of the type of work being funded includes contributing $1.27 million towards financing the project of modernizing aging infrastructure at three facilities in the Albany Water System; the Feura Bush Filtration Plant, the Pine Bush Pump Station, and the Loudonville Reservoir. The improvements made will increase the quality the life for more than 100,000 people living in Albany.
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to strengthening the nation's water infrastructure, while providing significant resources to address key challenges, including climate change, emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), lead pipes, and cybersecurity.
The DWSRF allotments to states are based on the results of EPA's 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA). The survey, which is required by the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act, assesses the nation's public water systems' infrastructure needs every four years and the findings are used to allocate DWSRF grants to states. The drinking water utilities need $625 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 20 years to ensure the nation's public health, security, and economic well-being.
At the direction of Congress, EPA's 7th Drinking Water Assessment, for the first time included survey questions focused on lead service lines and is projecting a national total of 9.2 million lead service lines across the country. This best available national and state-level projections of service line counts will help advance a unique opportunity to employ a separate lead service line allotment formula for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Funding that is based on need. Almost $3 billion of the funding announced today will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement, taking a key step toward the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of achieving 100% lead free water systems.
Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing over $50 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between FY 2022 and FY 2026. In its second year of implementation, $6 billion of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will be available to states, Tribes, and territories through the DWSRF. Of that funding, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest $3 billion in lead service line identification and improvement, $800 million to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and $2.2 billion in other critical drinking water system improvements. Additionally, approximately $500 million will also be available through the DWSRF annual appropriations, established by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
EPA is committed to ensuring every community has access to this historic investment and has centralized increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within its implementation. The implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls for strong collaboration, and EPA continues to work in partnership with states, Tribes, and territories to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment. In addition, EPA is strengthening its water technical assistance programs to support communities in assessing their water needs and apply for their fair share of this historic investment.
President Biden's Investing in America agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don't require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.
More information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding and information on the DWINSA.
More information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Background
The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments mandated that EPA conduct an assessment of the nation's public water systems' infrastructure needs every four years and use the findings to allocate DWSRF capitalization grants to states.
The DWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investment for more than 25 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. Since its inception, states have provided almost $53 billion through DWSRF programs to water systems for approximately 18,000 projects. Each state receives an allocation percentage that is based directly on its proportional share of the total need for all 50 States and Puerto Rico. The percentage made available to any individual state ranges from 1% to almost 11%, with each state guaranteed a minimum of 1% of the total amount available to states. Due to any individual state's share of the total state need, some states will see increases or decreases in the percentage of funding they receive.
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