New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a new law to invest $2.5bn in clean water infrastructure and water quality protection.
The clean water infrastructure act enables to spend $2.5bn for improving drinking water infrastructure, clean water infrastructure and water quality protection across the state.
As part of the project, around $1.5bn will be provided as grants to improve water infrastructure, while $75m will be offered under rebate program for homeowners and small businesses to replace and upgrade aging septic systems.
Funds will also be provided for green infrastructure, including $110m for water protection initiatives such as land acquisition and others.
Under NYS water grant program and new intermunicipal grant program, the municipalities can apply for $255m for drinking water and clean water infrastructure projects.
Apart from $2.5bn investment, the fiscal 2018 budget will also provide additional investments to protect and improve water quality improvements on Long Island, including $300m environmental protection fund.
Under fiscal 2018 budget, around $40m will be invested to construct two local water treatment systems in Smithtown and Kings Park.
The budget was based on the $388m initiative launched in 2014 to link 10,000 homes from septic systems to sanitary sewer systems in the Carlls River, Connetquot River and Patchogue River, and Forge River watershed areas and southwest Suffolk County’s Sewer District.
Cuomo said: "Clean water is an issue of paramount national importance, and New York is once again leading the nation with this bold investment to strengthen the infrastructure of our water systems and protect the long-term health, sustainability and economic vitality of communities across the state.”
"This funding will provide New York’s cities, towns and villages with modernized, sustainable water systems – protecting our precious resources and securing a healthier future for all New Yorkers."
Image: New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo signs legislation to invest in clean water infrastructure and water quality protection. Photo: courtesy of Flickr / New York State.