NY State allocates millions to combat forever chemicals in the water supply
PFAS have become a target of environmentalists and some Democratic lawmakers concerned about the adverse health effects of the presence of the chemicals. The chemicals, which are manmade and ubiquitous in a wide range of household and industrial products, have been found in water sources throughout the state and have been linked to adverse health effects, birth defects and cancer. In May, the state passed a bill that would outlaw the sale of products containing PFAS. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Chelsea Democrat and candidate for Manhattan Borough President, passed in the Senate last year but has never come to a vote in the Assembly.
On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul touted the state’s investment in water infrastructure, including $2.2 million in the previous fiscal year and $500 million in the most recent budget passed in May. The grant announcement comes weeks after Hochul signaled that she was open to reviving two natural gas pipelines that had previously been blocked by the state over water quality concerns after President Donald Trump withdrew opposition to a large wind energy project off the coast of Long Island, known as Empire Wind.
Municipalities with water systems containing PFAS above the state’s maximum contaminant level are eligible to receive funding equivalent to 70% of net project costs. Projects for systems with contaminant levels above the federal threshold but below the state’s will also receive additional funding, with all other projects eligible for up to $5 million or 70% of total costs.
Additional funding will be available to small rural counties with fewer resources to improve their sewer projects. Struggling communities may receive grants for those upgrades of up to 50% of the projects’ costs, higher than the previous 25% maximum.
The grants may also support wastewater treatment, replacing old water mains and lead pipes and new water treatment systems.
Applications for the grants, administered by the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation, will open on June 20 with a due date of September 12.
