Part of New York State's $300 Million Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the start of construction of a nearly $13 million wastewater collection and treatment facilities improvement project awarded to the town of Kendall, Orleans County, through the State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The completed project will help prevent damage from future high-water events by preventing sewage and other contaminants from affecting Lake Ontario water quality. 

“DEC is proud to partner with the town of Kendall to announce the State’s critical investment in wastewater infrastructure that will protect water quality and strengthen community resilience to flooding while making important projects like this more affordable for municipalities,” Commissioner Lefton said. “With the support of Governor Hochul and by working in partnership with local governments and agencies through the REDI initiative, New York State is advancing long-term solutions that address today’s challenges while preparing communities for the impacts of a changing climate.” 

Kendall Town Supervisor Anthony Cammarata said, “After years of devastating flooding and countless challenges, I am proud to say we’re finally seeing real progress on critical lakeshore projects. Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, the REDI Commission, and our dedicated community, what once seemed impossible is now becoming a reality.”  

Residents along the town of Kendall lakeshore depend on private septic or leach field systems to handle wastewater. During periods of flooding, these systems can fail, increasing the risk of contamination and threatening the health of Lake Ontario and the community. To better protect residents and the environment, the project will connect more than 330 residents to public wastewater infrastructure and facilities. The funding provided through REDI for this and dozens of other projects across the region helps reduce costs of improvements for municipalities and local taxpayers. 

The flood resiliency project being implemented by the town under DEC oversight includes construction of a new low-pressure sewer collection system to carry wastewater from the connected properties in the town of Kendall and the neighboring town of Hamlin. The system will include more than 11 miles of sanitary sewer lines and associated components, including individual grinder pump stations. Wastewater will travel to the Hamlin interceptor sewer before being ultimately treated and disposed at Monroe County Pure Waters Northwest Quadrant Wastewater Treatment Plant.  

This upgrade will help protect water quality, reduce pollution risks, safeguard public health, and strengthen community resilience against flooding.   

Environmental Facilities Corporation President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “This project is a powerful step toward protecting public health and preserving Lake Ontario. EFC is proud to support Governor Hochul, our partner state agencies, and local governments by administering the REDI funding to protect public health, increase community resiliency, and foster economic development. This funding will help bring lasting change to Kendall — strengthening its critical wastewater infrastructure, safeguarding its future, and proving what’s possible when we invest in resilience.” 

State Parks Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, "Swimming, boating and fishing on Lake Ontario is crucial to local tourism and the quality of life in the region. The work by the Town of Kendall to protect the Lake Ontario’s water quality will help ensure the lake remains an accessible and enjoyable destination for residents and visitors.” 

Orleans County Chairman Lynn Johnson said, "The REDI program has been so important to communities along the lakeshore in helping us make infrastructure investments that will mitigate the impact of future flooding and protect our communities. No project better highlights this than the Kendall Wastewater Infrastructure Project, which will move residents from leach fields to a wastewater disposal system. Since leach fields often fail during significant flooding, we can now ensure that a future flooding event will no longer pose a risk to residents’ health nor contaminate Lake Ontario.”  

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. Through REDI, the State has committed up to $300 million to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. 

Since the creation of the State’s REDI program in the Spring of 2019, 134 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 18 projects in the design phase, seven projects in the construction phase, and 109 projects completed. 

For additional information, project profiles and REDI news, click here.  

New York's Commitment to Water Quality

New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With an additional $500 million for clean water infrastructure in the 2025-2026 enacted State Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. In addition, the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (Bond Act) is helping State agencies, local governments, and partners access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change.