Two Upstate communities will receive more than $22 million in state support for major water infrastructure projects as part of a broader $74 million package approved by New York to help local governments modernize aging systems and avoid steep costs for ratepayers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that the Village of Honeoye Falls will receive $17.8 million in grants and low-cost financing for improvements to its wastewater treatment plant, while the Town of Skaneateles will receive $4.4 million to expand and strengthen its drinking water system.
The projects were among several approved by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors, which oversees state water infrastructure financing programs.
Honeoye Falls moves toward wastewater plant overhaul
The largest local award went to Honeoye Falls, where officials are planning upgrades to a wastewater treatment plant that dates back to 1930.
The $17.8 million package will support planning and design work for improvements to the aging facility, which serves the village and discharges into Honeoye Creek. State officials said the project builds on ongoing efforts to improve water quality while addressing infrastructure that has served the community for nearly a century.
Village Mayor Richard Milne said communities across New York often struggle to fund large-scale water and sewer projects without state assistance.
“With this support we expect to move forward with a new wastewater treatment plant project in the Village of Honeoye Falls,” Milne said.
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford described the facility as being in urgent need of replacement and said the funding will help address long-delayed repairs while positioning the village for future growth.
Skaneateles expands drinking water system
In Central New York, the Town of Skaneateles secured $4.4 million in state grant funding to expand and improve its municipal water infrastructure.
The project includes installation of approximately 15,700 linear feet of water main, construction of a 150,000-gallon elevated storage tank and development of a new pump station. State officials said the improvements will strengthen reliability for current users while extending access to additional customers.
The investment comes as many communities across New York face increasing challenges tied to aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and growing demand for reliable water systems.
State continues major clean water investments
Hochul said the latest awards are part of the state’s broader effort to protect public health while helping local governments avoid significant rate increases.
Funding comes through a combination of state and federal programs, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and New York’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant program.
According to state officials, water infrastructure grants have saved New York ratepayers more than $8.3 billion since 2015. The state recently approved a $3.75 billion clean water investment plan, bringing total water infrastructure commitments since 2017 to roughly $10 billion.
Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen Coleman said the latest approvals demonstrate how state funding can help communities advance critical infrastructure projects that might otherwise be difficult to afford.
For Honeoye Falls and Skaneateles, the funding represents a major step toward modernizing essential systems that support public health, environmental protection and future community development.
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