We urge that Governor Cuomo includes a new appropriation of at least $1 billion for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA) in the SFY2020-21 budget. This critical funding source, which supports the infrastructure responsible for bringing clean drinking water to the homes in our communities and keeping waterways clean, has been incredibly successful, but needs still dwarf available funding.

We are thankful for his commitment to double the existing Clean Water Infrastructure Act funding by an additional $2.5 billion over the next 5 years. In 2008, the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health released reports indicating a 20-year need of nearly $80 billion for both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Since these reports were issued, needs have grown. To ensure our communities can fight emerging contaminants, repair and replace old water infrastructure, replace lead pipes, protect source water, and more, funding must continue to increase beyond this commitment. 

Few issues are as important to our health, economy, and environment, as safe, reliable clean water.  In the 21st century, ensuring safe drinking and recreational waters means having adequate infrastructure. But much of New York’s water infrastructure has aged well beyond its useful lifespan, leading to billions of gallons of sewage overflows and thousands of water main breaks annually. This issue has only been compounded by climate change and unregulated chemicals contaminating drinking water supplies.

In recent years, New York has begun to reverse decades of inadequate investment.  Resources first made available in the SFY2015-16 budget and the creation of the CWIA has made an enormous difference for our communities that may not have otherwise had the means to repair and replace degrading water infrastructure.

According to a recent analysis of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), every county that applied for funding has been awarded at least once, each year applications increased by 60%, and each year the number of grants being awarded has increased.  Four times the number of projects were awarded funding in 2017 as compared to 2015.

In addition to WIIA, when the other programs within the CWIA are taken into account, this fund has benefited every county in New York State. 

The WIIA, which receives $1 billion out of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, has been oversubscribed since its initial creation. According to an analysis of the first three years of WIIA, only half of the eligible projects that applied for grant funding were awarded – 50/50 chances of funding are not the odds New Yorkers need for water infrastructure funding. Out of the 22,000 miles of sewer pipes statewide, nearly a third are beyond their projected 60-year lifespans, and a quarter of over 600 sewage treatment plants are beyond their projected useful life of 30 years.

Additionally, investment in water infrastructure is a necessary component of climate resiliency. Based on modeling, temperatures in New York will be up 3 degrees and precipitation will increase by 8% compared to the 1970-2000 period by the 2020s. Current levels of precipitation and snow melt and extreme temperature fluctuations are causing water main and sewer line breaks and massive sewage overflows – this will only grow worse without proper investment.  

These funds are also critical to maintain and improve the affordability of water and sewer service for rate payers across the state who would otherwise bear the full costs of these necessary upgrades—or would experience diminished access to or quality of service due to their inability to pay.

In the face of threats from the federal government, it is more important than ever that New York make bold investments in water infrastructure.  With rollbacks to essential environmental protections, like the Clean Water Act, and New York suffering from harmful algal blooms, chemical contamination, frequent sewage overflows and watermain breaks, and stress from climate change, continued leadership on funding is urgent.