Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Why New York Needs Federal Funding For Water Infrastructure
Why New York Needs Federal Funding For Water Infrastructure
Why New York Needs Federal Funding For Water Infrastructure
The economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress in projects at a total cost of at least $2.0 billion.5 In 2008,
February 2009 provides more money to water infrastruc- the state received only $36.3 million in federal funding6
ture than the country has seen in recent years, but this — enough to finance 1/55th of its needs.
one-time allotment cannot cure the problems plaguing
many communities. In fact, the bill provides water and Federal contributions to New York’s drinking water
sewer systems with less than one-third of what the Envi- funding efforts have decreased by 38.7 percent since the
ronmental Protection Agency estimates we should spend Drinking Water SRF was implemented in fiscal 1997 and
each year just to maintain them. 54.3 percent when adjusted for inflation.7
New York’s Water Infrastructure Funding Gap: For the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program,
New York’s water needs outpace its current ability to fund which goes toward wastewater infrastructure, the state’s
projects by a large margin. most recent Intended Use Plan lists 412 projects at a total
cost of $4.6 billion.8 In 2008, the state received $75.1 mil-
For the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) pro- lion in federal funding9 — enough to finance 1.6 percent
gram, the state’s most recent Intended Use Plan lists 555 of its needs.
Federal contributions to New York’s wastewater funding
efforts have decreased by 66.8 percent since the Clean
Water SRF was fully implemented in fiscal 1991 and 79.0
percent when adjusted for inflation.10