North Country communities get over $50 million to upgrade water infrastructure
NEW YORK — Several North Country communities have been awarded more than $50 million in state funding to improve their water infrastructure.
The aid is being provided from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation's Water Infrastructure Improvement & Intermunicipal or WIIA grant program, a statewide initiative to improve water infrastructure in rural communities and help fund vital quality of life projects.
A total of $435 million was awarded to communities in every region of New York.
The local projects and funding amounts for each are:
— The City of Plattsburgh, Phase 4 drinking water system upgrades for $5,000,000.
— The Town of Peru, water systems improvement project for $5,000,000; and wastewater treatment plant unit process and disinfection upgrades for $11,087,515.
— The Town of Champlain, Sewer District No. 7 for $5,477,500.
— The Village of Chateaugay, wastewater treatment plant disinfection upgrades for $6,571,636.
— The Town of Keene, improvements to Water District #2 for $3,813,090.
— The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, wastewater treatment plant upgrades for $9,891,566.
— The Village of Saranac Lake, water source and distribution evaluations for $5,000,000.
— The Town of Potsdam, Route 56 Sewer District for $1,399,484.
North Country elected officials welcomed the needed funding.
State Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) said "We all deserve access to clean water."
"Funding infrastructure projects such as the ones announced today is a crucial way in making that a reality for all our communities," Stec said.
"These grants will help provide clean water and make our region safer and healthier for all our residents."
State Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateauguay Lake), who represents the 115th assembly district, congratulated the municipalities.
"My colleagues and I in the State Legislature pushed to expand this program along with the Governor and it is great to see the results right here in the North Country considering that my district received the most funding from this program," Jones said.
"Every New Yorker has the constitutional right to clean water and this funding will help local municipalities ensure that they continue to provide clean water to their residents. I am proud to support this program as well as legislation that would make funding available for local governments to address their aging water infrastructure issues based on the total length of pipes in their district, similar to how road infrastructure funding is disbursed," he continued.
"This is great news for our region, and I will continue to push for more funding to ensure that everyone in the North Country has access to clean water."
