City to receive $10 million water infrastructure grant
TROY, N.Y. >> Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $41.5 million in grants to support 20 municipal water infrastructure projects in the Capital Region.
The grants are funded through the state’s highly successful Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant programs. As a result, the City of Troy will receive a $10 million grant to fund the first phase of a major water line replacement project between the Tomhannock Reservoir and the city’s John P. Buckley Water Treatment Plant.
“The replacement of aging water infrastructure lines is critical to protecting the health and safety of our community and region. With support and assistance of Governor Cuomo, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation and Department of Health this important modernization project can move forward to secure a stronger future for our residents, families and businesses,” Troy Mayor Patrick Madden said of the grant funding in a statement.
“I am pleased Troy has been awarded a $10 million EFC (Environmental Facilities Corp) grant toward a new transmission line running from the Tomhannock Reservoir to the city’s water treatment plant. This is part of a major $40 million capital infrastructure project,” Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello added in a statement.
“In order to apply for this grant the financing of the project had to be in place. The City Council responded and in August approved a $40 million bonding toward this effort,” Mantello said. “While I was concerned of the bonding of this huge amount, as I stated when supporting and voting for this project, our safe drinking water is first and foremost to our residents and the several communities who rely on our city’s water.”
“Additionally, this could open the door to potential new customers who are seeking safe drinking water, such as Hoosick Falls and Petersbugh,” Mantello added.
“This $10 million award is great news for Troy. This is a very costly project and this grant will help offset the costs that Troy taxpayers will have to pay,” Rensselaer County Legislator Kim Ashe McPherson said. “In September, I sponsored a resolution that supported the City’s grant application and urged State leaders to award Troy the funding so we can continue to safely provide drinking water to several local communities.
“This is a win for Troy and our neighboring communities.”
“Investing in our state’s wa- ter 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.”
In September 2018, the City submitted an application to New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for phase one of the Transmission Line Replacement project. The existing water lines are over 100 years and were recommended for replacement.
The project will install seven miles of new water transmission mains between the reservoir and the Water Treatment Plant to ensure future reliability of service and reduce the vulnerability of the lines.
The Water Treatment Plant provides over 21 million gallons of drinking water daily to over 135,000 customers in Troy and eight other communities in Albany, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties.
“This $10 million award is great news for Troy. This is a very costly project and this grant will help offset the costs that Troy taxpayers will have to pay.” — Rensselaer County Legislator Kim Ashe McPherson