Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $265 million in new funding to support water quality and climate resiliency projects across New York State.
The investment includes major grants to protect drinking water, modernize aging infrastructure, reduce harmful algal blooms, and help communities prepare for increasingly severe weather.
Funding targets water quality and climate resilience
The funding package includes $211 million through the state’s Water Quality Improvement Project program.
Those funds will support 175 projects aimed at protecting drinking water sources, upgrading wastewater and stormwater systems, and reducing pollution that contributes to harmful algal blooms.
An additional $55 million will support 24 climate resiliency projects through the Resilient Watersheds Grant program.
These projects are designed to reduce flooding, restore natural waterways, and safeguard communities from extreme weather events.
Projects span communities statewide
State officials said the grants reflect a wide range of needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Water Quality Improvement Project grants will fund infrastructure upgrades, flood mitigation efforts, and habitat restoration projects throughout the state.
Resilient Watersheds Grants will support initiatives such as stream and floodplain restoration, culvert replacements, dam removals, and property buyouts in flood-prone areas.
Yonkers and Lower Westchester highlighted
As part of the announcement, two Resilient Watersheds projects were highlighted in Yonkers.
The city will receive more than $6.6 million to replace culverts and stabilize streambanks along Troublesome Brook near Scarsdale Road and Manhattan Avenue.
In Lower Westchester, the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Sleepy Hollow Local Development Corporation will receive $600,000 to build a salt storage facility aimed at protecting Hudson River water quality.
Save the Sound will also receive $2 million to remove a dam and restore habitat along the Bronx River.
State agencies coordinate funding
The grants are administered through multiple programs overseen by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Facilities Corporation.
Funding sources include the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, the Environmental Protection Fund, and other state resources.
State officials said combining funding sources helps reduce the financial burden on municipalities and local taxpayers.
Environmental justice communities benefit
According to state officials, roughly $185 million of the awarded funding will support projects in environmental justice communities.
The investments are intended to reduce flood risk, protect drinking water, improve aquatic habitats, and strengthen resilience in communities facing disproportionate environmental challenges.
Part of larger water infrastructure push
The announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State proposal calling for a five-year, $3.75 billion commitment to modernize New York’s water systems.
The plan would provide $750 million annually to upgrade water infrastructure while supporting housing development and economic growth.
Since 2017, New York State has invested $6 billion in clean water infrastructure.
If approved, the new commitment would bring total state investment to nearly $10 billion.
What happens next
Grant recipients will move forward with planning, design, and construction phases in the coming months.
State officials say the projects will deliver long-term benefits by improving water quality, reducing flood risk, and creating good-paying jobs across New York.
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