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Recovery Assistance for Public Water Systems

Table of Contents

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)

Recovery Funds

  • $2 billion nationwide

New York State's Share

  • $86.811 million
    • 50/50 split between grants and loans
    • 20% for "green" conservation projects

The Recovery Act provides funds for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The DWSRF provides a significant financial incentive for public and private water systems to finance needed drinking water infrastructure improvements (e.g. treatment plants, distribution mains, storage facilities).

The DWSRF provides subsidized low interest rate financing and limited grants for construction of eligible water system projects. The DWSRF is administered jointly by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the New York State Department of Health  (DOH).

Recovery Act funds will be used to fund projects listed in the Supplement DWSRF Intended Use Plan (IUP) published in the NYS Register on March 18, 2009. Sixteen projects across the State have received funds totaling almost $65 million.

The Recovery Act authorized that not less than 20% of economic stimulus funding provided for the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) be used for green infrastructure.

Green Innovation Grants were announced on October 1, 2009. Over $6.1 million was awarded to the following counties:

  • Delaware County, Roxbury: $347,267
  • Dutchess County, Beacon: $233,100
  • Dutchess County, Bard College: $1,590,825
  • Dutchess County, Shore Haven Water District: $61,692
  • Franklin County, Saranac Lake: $1,000,000
  • Jefferson County, Orleans: $208,078
  • Onondaga County, Syracuse: $753,543
  • Oswego County, Richland: $585,000
  • Rensselaer County, Schaghticoke: $75,000
  • Rensselaer County, Troy: $450,000
  • Schoharie County, Sharon Springs: $203,148
  • Steuben County, Bath: $437,400
  • Sullivan County, Wurtsboro: $201,438

NYS Recovery Act Handbook

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

Recovery Funds

  • $4.0 billion

New York State's Share

  • $432.5 million

The Recovery Act provides funds for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The U.S . Environmental Protection Agency distributes the funds by formula to States who use the funds to finance qualified water quality projects.

The CWSRF is administered by Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The CWSRF provides low interest rate financings to municipalities to construct water quality protection projects. A variety of publicly-owned water quality improvement projects are eligible for financing. Eligible projects include point source projects such as wastewater treatment facilities and nonpoint source projects such as landfill closures and stormwater management projects, as well as certain habitat restoration and protection projects in national estuary program areas.

Projects that are already listed on the Annual and Readiness Lists of the 2009 CWSRF Intended Use Plans (IUPs) are eligible for funding.

  • As required by ARRA, Governor Patterson is required to submit certifications with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency detailing infrastructure investments, including the dollar value of the projects, construction schedules and summaries of other legal resolutions and agreements. Several such certifications have been submitted.

NYS Recovery Act Handbook

Water Quality Management Planning (604(b)) Projects

Recovery Funds

  • $39.3 million

New York State's Share

  • $1.7 million

The Recovery Act provides funds for Water Quality Management proposals that promote regional comprehensive water quality management planning activities as associated with:

  • Green Infrastructure;
  • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs);
  • Phase II Stormwater for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s); and
  • Water Quality Management.

The 604(b) grant will fund up to 100% of the total project cost. Funding is for projects that are ready to proceed. Projects that are awarded funding through this program will be expected to have begun or have a signed contract by February 17, 2010. In addition, all work must be completed by February 17, 2012.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a Request for Applications (RFA). Applications must be postmarked no later than July 10, 2009.

Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply for this funding.

  • Capital District Regional Planning Council
  • Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board
  • Genesee - Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
  • Herkimer - Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program
  • Hudson Valley Regional Council
  • Lake Champlain - Lake George Regional Planning Board
  • Long Island Regional Planning Council
  • Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board
  • Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board
  • Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board
  • Delaware River Basin Commission
  • Great Lakes Commission
  • Interstate Environmental Commission
  • Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission
  • New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
  • Susquehanna River Basin Commission

The Department encourages eligible parties to reach out to New York State organizations and governmental units involved in the administration of watershed based programs for possible projects. These organizations and governmental units are not eligible to apply directly for 604(b) funds. Only the entities listed above are eligible to apply.

Rural Development Water and Environment Program

Recovery Funds

  • $3.7 billion in loans and grants

New York State's Share

  • To be determined; estimate is $95 million in loans and approximately $37 million in grants. Since April 2009, USDA awarded over $69 million to 29 rural communities in New York for drinking water infrastructure improvement projects.

The Recovery Act provides approximately $3.7 billion in loans and grants for rural water and wastewater infrastructure through the existing US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) loan and grant program. The WWD provides loans, grants , loan guarantees and technical assistance for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes may qualify for assistance. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Preference for funding will be given to projects that are ready to commence. For more information on how to apply for assistance, please contact one of the Rural Development State or Area Offices. RD Office Locator

NYS Recovery Act Handbook

Water Projects for American Indian Communities

Recovery Funds

  • $158 million

New York State's Share

  • $3.09 million

The Recovery Act provides funds for improved access to vital drinking water and wastewater services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The funds will be invested in "shovel ready" infrastructure projects designed to better protect human and environmental health in Indian Country and to create jobs.

On May 15, 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Indian Health Services (IHS) awarded a total of $2.4 million out of the $68 million dedicated to construct water and sanitation facilities to the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, the Seneca Nation and the Tuscarora Nation, serving almost 1,800 homes.

On July 8, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and HHS / IHS jointly announced that two grants were awarded in New York State out of the $90 million Tribal set aside nationally for drinking water infrastructure projects:

  • $349,000 to the St. Regis Band, Mohawk Indians
  • $349,000 to the Seneca Nation