As municipalities across the country are assessing and investing in improvements to aging water treatment and supply systems, New York State recently passed the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, allocating at least $1 billion in funding to water infrastructure improvements projects and $150 million to intermunicipal water infrastructure improvements. This funding is being administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and New York State Department of Health through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF and DWSRF) Programs. Projects made possible by the grant funding programs described below are expected to significantly improve our wastewater and drinking water systems.
Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA)
New York State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) will invest $225 million towards drinking water and wastewater system upgrades to improve water quality and guarantee that the public has continued access to safe drinking water. Fifty percent of the funding will go towards municipal wastewater infrastructure projects (CWSRF), and the other 50% will go to municipal drinking water projects (DWSRF). Projects eligible for funding will improve the way a municipal entity complies with environmental or public health standards, and must have a construction component. Such projects may include wastewater or drinking water treatment system upgrades; modified sludge treatment or disposal strategies; and upgrading or replacing drinking water infrastructure.
The WIIA grant can cover up to 25% of net eligible CWSRF wastewater project costs, not exceeding $5 million combined in a five-year span (October 2012 through September 2017) for a single project or municipality. Up to 60% of net eligible DWSRF drinking water infrastructure project costs can be funded through this grant, not exceeding $3 million combined over the 5-year period.
Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program (IMG)
As part of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, $30 million have been allocated to the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program. Eligible projects cross municipal boundaries and involve the construction of drinking water or wastewater infrastructure, as well as repairs, system upgrades, bolstered resiliency or energy-saving initiatives. Only projects with complete engineering reports as well as current and executed Intermunicipal Agreements (IMA) will be considered. The IMG offers $10 million maximum funding per project, providing up to 40% of project costs.
Application Requirements
The applications for both WIIA and IMG grants are due Friday, June 23, 2017 at 5:00 pm. Refer to the EFC website for additional information on these funding opportunities and application requirements. Note that engineering reports, environmental reviews and other documentation must be submitted as part of the grant applications.
Many of Walden’s past projects have resulted from our successful grant writing for municipal clients, who have received over $60 million in government grants and low-interest financing to spur environmental stewardship. Call us at 516-624-7200 for assistance in evaluating grant opportunities and pursuing the grant funding needed to make your projects a reality.