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County to receive $6M in water improvement grants

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced $23.3 million in grants to support 14 critical municipal water infrastructure projects in Western New York.

The funding represents $47.9 million in taxpayer savings and supports the creation of more than 1,100 jobs. The governor said the grants are funded through the state’s “highly successful Water Infrastructure Improvement Act program.”

Locally, Chautauqua County will receive $3 million for drinking water and $2.97 million for clean water projects.

“Investing in our state’s water infrastructure is critical to regional growth and prosperity and maintaining safe, healthy communities,” Cuomo said. “By improving our water infrastructure, we are protecting our natural resources, laying the groundwork for future prosperity and helping to create a stronger, healthier, New York for all.”

“It’s critical that we ensure our drinking water is free of contaminants and safe for all New Yorkers,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This investment in grants for infrastructure improvements in Western New York will address needs to enhance and protect water quality, and also help to create more than 1,000 jobs in the area. We want to make sure that communities have the resources they need to make upgrades to their water treatment systems and ensure the health and safety of residents.”

The governor’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 dedicated $2.5 billion for water quality protection across New York. Wednesday’s announcement is part of a statewide total of $270 million in grants being awarded to communities, including over $19 million to support projects that address cyanotoxins associated with harmful algal blooms (HABS), and previously announced grants totaling $15 million for projects addressing emerging contaminants such as PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4 dioxane.

To date, $750 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant funding supports nearly $2.65 billion in total project costs for vital drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide. Combined with zero- or low-interest financings through the State Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York taxpayers will save nearly $1.8 billion. Furthermore, these projects are expected to support more than 47,000 jobs in the construction, supplier and service sectors.

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