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
    • A minimum of 50% of ARRA funds were required to be used in the form of grants or principal forgiveness: 80%, or $69.5 million was so committed.
    • A minimum of 20% were required for "green" projects. A total of 33%, or $29.4 million was committed for these types of projects – including $6.1 million that was set aside for the Green Innovation Grant Program overseen by the Environmental Facilities Corporation.

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 a NYS Department of Health program that is administered jointly by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). Since the program's inception in 1996, the NYS DWSRF has financed over $3.2 billion for drinking water infrastructure projects, including over $184 million in grants. Loan funds are repaid to the program and re-loaned for other projects making it a true revolving loan fund. The repayments and interest earnings are estimated at $78 million for Federal Fiscal Year 2011.

Recovery Act funds were used along with regular DWSRF funds to support projects listed in the Supplemental DWSRF Intended Use Plan (IUP) published in the NYS Register on March 18, 2009. As required by ARRA, the Governor filed certifications with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Projects receiving ARRA funds and financing details:

  • Allegany County, Town of Caneadea: a grant of $1,615,604 and principal forgiveness of $1,829,906 for a total ARRA amount of $3,445,510
  • Erie County, Chaffee Water District: a grant of $303,206 and principal forgiveness of $152,638 of a total ARRA amount of $455,844
  • Jefferson County, Town of Hounsfield: a grant of $1,695,136 and principal forgiveness of $497,387 for a total ARRA amount of $2,192,523
  • Monroe County Water District: $23,730,887 of which $17,750,000 was principal forgiveness
  • Montgomery County, City of Amsterdam: $5,081,049 in principal forgiveness
  • Onondaga County Water Authority: $8,694,007 of which $6,131,389 was principal forgiveness; and Town of Marcellus: $2,729,546 in principal forgiveness
  • Orange County, Beaver Dam Lake Water Corporation: $1,010,188 in principal forgiveness; and Village of Warwick: $1,449,551 of which $1,087,164 was principal forgiveness
  • Oswego County, Town of Richland: a grant of $1,242,096 and $3,965,316 in principal forgiveness for a total ARRA amount of $5,207,412
  • Otsego County, Village of Unadilla: $1,561,704 in principal forgiveness
  • Rensselaer County, Town of Schodack $812,000 of which $609,000 was principal forgiveness; and Town of Poestenkill : $4,765,000 in principal forgiveness
  • Steuben County, Town of Erwin: a grant of $1,949,134 and principal forgiveness of $784,512 for a total ARRA amount of $2,733,646
  • Westchester County, Village of Briarcliff Manor: $11,586,984 of which $8,690,238 was principal forgiveness

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 : $438,543 for solar power and $315,000 for microturbine
  • Oswego County, Richland : $585,000
  • Rensselaer County, Schaghticoke: $75,000
  • Rensselaer County, Troy: $450,000
  • Schoharie County, Sharon Springs: $203,148
  • Steuben County, Bath Electric, Gas & Water: $437,400
  • Sullivan County, Wurtsboro: $201,438

In addition to the Innovation Grants, the Monroe County Water Authority received over $23 million as ARRA "green" funds to support their large scale project.

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.

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 $97 million to 44 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