New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald today announced the availability of free technical assistance for municipalities to protect public drinking water supplies through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2). The multi-agency initiative, led by DEC and DOH in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and State (DOS), empowers municipalities to take critical actions to improve and protect public water sources and the environment.

“The Drinking Water Source Protection Program empowers communities across New York to assess and protect sources of public drinking water, benefiting both public health and the environment,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC is committed to improving water quality and access to clean water for all New Yorkers by working with local communities to protect, manage, and conserve the State's groundwater and surface water supply sources for future generations.”

“We encourage all of New York’s public drinking water suppliers – large and small – to participate in the Drinking Water Source Protection Program for assistance in ensuring that one of their community’s most vital life resources is protected now and in the future,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Developing a drinking water source protection plan includes careful consideration of many complicated factors, which is why it is critically important that municipalities have the necessary technical support to safeguard the health of their residents.”

As part of DWSP2, up to 30 volunteer communities will work with technical assistance providers to develop and initiate implementation of each community's unique drinking water source protection program at no cost to the participating municipalities. DWSP2 is open to all community public drinking water supplies in New York regardless of size or water source.

The program is designed to build off previous work, help align priorities, and fill gaps within a municipality’s current and future source water protection efforts.

Participating municipalities will receive assistance in assessing modern day vulnerabilities and engaging in preventative actions to protect drinking water sources from contamination, identifying effective actions to address potential contaminant sources, and implementing source water protection actions. The free technical assistance provided by the Drinking Water Source Protection Program helps take the complexity and guesswork out of developing a drinking source water protection plan.

Community public water suppliers are encouraged to apply for free technical assistance to develop and implement a Drinking Water Source Protection Program by visiting the DWSP2 website and completing an online application. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Municipalities participating in the Drinking Water Source Protection Program

• Promote public health and safety
• Support economic viability
• Enhance environmental protection and recreational opportunities
• Strengthen community partnerships and collaboration

Drinking water source protection plans provide municipalities with a road map to maintaining and protecting sources of drinking water. Each DWSP2 plan is tailored to the goals and concerns of a community and drinking water source to provide a holistic and comprehensive approach that builds off protection efforts a community already has in place.

The DWSP2 process provides updated source water maps, assessments of potential contaminant sources, and identifies effective methods to address potential contaminant sources.

The Drinking Water Source Protection Program has taken big strides protecting drinking water resources across New York State. Seventy-four municipalities, totaling 46 plans, have worked towards creating action-oriented, community-driven DWSP2 plans to protect their drinking water sources. Sixteen of these communities have completed the plan development process and subsequently received State Acceptance, moving forward on implementing their plans.

While there are no out-of-pocket costs to communities for the development of a DWSP2 plan, municipalities are expected to commit time and local knowledge to work with a free technical assistance provider who will guide the DWSP2 plan development. Selected municipalities with a community public water supply must be prepared to work with a technical assistance provider throughout the DWSP2 process and commit to implement their programs.

The purpose of DWSP2 is to prepare municipalities for plan implementation to provide long-term source water protection. DWSP2 helps with implementation by identifying feasible actions and funding sources to cover potential project costs. The plan will act as a road map that includes:

• Methods to address targeted potential contaminant sources
• Cost analysis for all identified implementation projects
• Potential funding sources that can aid with project costs
• Project partners that can support implementation
• Project timing and schedule

Register now for DWSP2’s upcoming webinar on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 11 a.m. to learn more about program benefits and how to apply for free technical assistance to protect your community’s source of drinking water.

To apply, visit the DWSP2 website and complete an online application. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Communities interested in the Drinking Water Source Protection Program can learn more on DEC's website or contact source.water@dec.ny.gov.

New York's Commitment to Clean Water

New York continues to increase its investments in clean water infrastructure. Most recently, the 2023-24 Enacted Budget includes the $500 million in clean water funding proposed by Governor Hochul in January and brings New York's total clean water infrastructure investment to $5 billion since 2017. To leverage these investments and ensure ongoing coordination with local governments, the Governor created Community Assistance Teams to provide proactive outreach to small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to help them access financial assistance to address their clean water infrastructure needs. The initiative was launched earlier this year and outreach meetings are underway. For more information, go to EFC's website.

In addition, voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022, advancing additional, historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities' ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, preserve outdoor spaces and local farms, and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities.

This summer, following a public comment period for draft eligibility guidelines for water infrastructure funding, Governor Hochul announced the availability of the first round of Bond Act monies with $200 million combined with other State water infrastructure funding for a total of $425 million. The application deadline closed after a two-week extension to allow more communities hit hard by flooding in July to apply. Applications are now being reviewed. Other Bond Act programs and funding opportunities will continue, as well as ongoing opportunities for state and federal funding that are offered regularly.

New Yorkers interested in learning more about the Bond Act can find general information about the $4.2 billion landmark initiative at the Bond Act website. The site includes recordings of the two virtual sessions, general information about existing state and federal funding programs that complement the Bond Act objectives and could help leverage Bond Act funds, and a link to the project ideas survey, among other information. The site will continue to be updated and interested individuals can also join a mailing list for updates at BondAct@dec.ny.gov.