Turning the Tide on Water Pollution

HAUPPAUGE, NY - Funding to protect Suffolk County’s drinking and ground waters may soon surge with the announcement of an additional $325 million in competitive grants from New York State for clean water infrastructure projects. The support will be awarded to local governments through the state's Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs, administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). Applications and full eligibility criteria will be posted on Monday, February 5, 2024, on the EFC’s website EFC.NY.GOV.

“From coastal seas to the sole-source aquifer beneath our feet, the health and economic vitality of Long Island is highly dependent upon clean water,” said Senator Monica R. Martinez. “Funding clean water infrastructure is critical to preventing toxins threatening our drinking water and pollution spoiling our shores.”

In December, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a total of $479 million in funding for projects statewide through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act, including $59 million for Long Island improvements. The funding awards announced last month will be used for sewer improvements, programs to remove Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) - a human carcinogen - and 1,4‐dioxane - a probable human carcinogen - from drinking water, and to assist Suffolk County homeowners in replacing aging and inefficient septic systems that contribute 70 percent of the nitrogen pollution found in local water bodies.