New Award Builds on Earlier Investments for Critical Improvements While Minimizing the Financial Burden on Local Ratepayers

Check Presentation Photo and Video

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation today announced a $1.5 million grant for the Village of Athens that will fund a $3 million wastewater project entirely with grants. The $1.5 million grant announced today through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program builds on previously announced State commitments to help the Village modernize its sewer system and improve the water quality of the Hudson River without overburdening local ratepayers.

“This announcement delivers on Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to ensuring that costs don’t prevent small communities from modernizing the water infrastructure that New Yorkers depend on every day,” EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said. “The additional grant announced today eliminates the need for local financing for this critical investment in public health, environmental protection, and community resilience.”

The planned improvements will help protect the Hudson River by reducing the amount of groundwater and stormwater entering the Village’s sewer system through aging clay pipes. By reducing these additional flows to the wastewater treatment plant, the project will help the facility operate more efficiently and maintain reliable treatment of wastewater before it is released back into the environment.

Today's announcement builds on previously announced investments in the project, including:

• $289,000 Water Infrastructure Improvement grant funded by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022
• $1.25 million congressional Community Project Funding grant

Village of Athens Mayor Amy Serrago said, "This investment is transformational for our community. Making this project fully grant funded allows us to address critical infrastructure needs while protecting our residents from additional costs. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the Environmental Facilities Corporation for their partnership and continued commitment to helping small communities improve water quality, strengthen resilience, and protect the Hudson River."

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "I’m proud to have helped secure funding for the Village of Athens to move forward with this fully grant-funded water infrastructure modernization project that protects local taxpayers. Communities across New York rely on water systems that are decades old and often astronomical to repair or replace, making state and federal funding critical to getting the job done, while keeping costs affordable for residents. I thank Governor Hochul and EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman for their partnership in delivering this investment, which will strengthen essential public services in the Village of Athens."

Nation-Leading Investments in Water Infrastructure

New York State continues to increase its historic investments in water infrastructure. The 2027 budget announced by Governor Hochul sets the national standard with a transformational $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan, which brings the State’s total clean water investment to $10 billion since 2017. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.