New York State Urban Council
*** NYS URBAN COUNCIL QUESTION ***
From Mayor Sherwood, Village of Naples NY
Are you aware of any grants for drinking water quality issues? We are under DOH advisory to install a micro-particulate filtration system to remediate "Ground Water under the Direct Influence of Surface Water GWIDI)". As near as we can tell - we're looking at $.5Mil. Not something that a village of 1000 people happens to have in its back pocket.
Village of Fonda
On Jan 17 we received notification from NYS DEC that $1M is available to eradicate aquatic invasive species from waters in NYS. Grant deadline is 2/28/06. Details available at WWW.DEC.STATE.NY.US/WEBSITE/DFWMR/HABITAT/ERAD.HTML
Another possible funding source is NYS EFC (Environmental Facilities Corp). They sometimes have low interest loans available (not too much on outright grants)
The NYS DEC has a new round #8 of grants for "Water Quality Improvement Projects". They are due March 31, 2006. These are typically for sewage treatment, storm water treatment. Check with DEC on availability.
I believe they can apply for New York State Governor’s Office for Small Cities funds under competitive round for infrastructure due April 2006. There are maximums. http://www.nysmallcities.com/ProgramInformation/outline.asp
Try the USDA Rural Utilities Program.
The village of Groton in Tompkins County had the same problem. Working with a local manufacturer of filtration systems (Pall Corp.) they were able to implement a solution for about $600K. We were able to get them a Small Cities CDBG to pay for 400K of the cost.
The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development
We deal with water quality issues all of the time here in the Catskills. The Quality Communities clearinghouse has a good summary of the grant and loan programs available in New York State to address water quality problems and issues.
In addition, you might want to recommend that the Mayor contact his local representative of RCAP. Their mission is to help rural communities with water/wastewater/infrastructure issues. They are an invaluable resource for matters such as this.
The NYS Bond Act is a perfect funding source for major water/sewer projects. Projects would have to be proposed to the Environmental Facilities Corporation for ranking and funding consideration. Your State legislator should be familiar with the program and process. Communities under DOH order or with a financial hardship are more competitive for these funds.
The Governor's Office of Small Cities is a good source for $400,000 or less. Again, hardship and low income status is of importance. The USDA also administers an infrastructure grant program, primarily for rural communities.
Naples might contact the USDA Rural Development to determine if they are eligible for funding through the Rural Utility Services' Community Facilities Grant/loan Program. This can provide a combination of grant and/or loan financing for rural water system improvements. The local USDA Rural Development Office is located inCanandaigua, NY.
The Village might also want to discuss the problem with the Governor’s Office for Small Cities to determine if they might qualify for a grant though the Small Cities CDBG Program. The CDBG Program can provide up to $400,000 in grant funding for public facilities including water systems. If the entire Village isn't eligible for funding, it might consider asking if the grant could be pro-rated to serve areas that might be low/moderate income.
NYS Governor’s Office for Small Cities
You should contact Dwight Brown at NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation concerning potential Co-Funding Initiative opportunities.
Village of Oakfield
If it a question of water quality I would contact the NYS Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
You might start with the Environmental Finance Center at Maxwell School. They have a community project development program.
Orion Management Company
Three funding sources come to mind:
1. New York State - EQBA
2. HUD Small Cities (if the Village is 51% + low income)
3. USDA - Rural Development Community Facilities
Look under the Governor's Office for Small Cities, contact Stuart Brown of Brown Associates in Fairport (585)223-3430 and they may be able to help you.
Link onto this site and you should be able to find out how to apply for grant and loan assistance from the NYS Department of Health.
You might also find assistance through the USDA Rural Development Agency.
They can provide low interest loans and grants to rural communities that meet certain qualifications. Assistance can often be obtained through the areas Congressman or Senator.
NYS Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research
Though I did not find a specific grant which your village could apply for, I did find the a pdf from the Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition, I strongly suggest looking further into the Safe Water Program at the EPA .
The only grant/loan program that I know of is USDA Rural Development. Your average annual income must be under $43,500 (approx). You can also apply for 38 year loans at EFC.
NYS Department of Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is announcing funds for water quality improvement projects addressing non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control and for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Phase II Stormwater Permit Implementation.
ELIGIBILITY: Municipalities and soil and water conservation districts.
FUNDING: Approximately $11.7 million of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has been appropriated for agricultural and non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control projects, and a portion of the $11.7 million from the EPF will be available for assistance to regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems in implementing Stormwater Phase II General Permit requirements.
DEADLINE: Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2006. No hand delivered, facsimile, or electronic application will be accepted.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For an application, contact Water Quality Improvement Projects, Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, New York 12233-3508; phone (518) 402-8151.
Tompkins County Water Resources Council
Some resources that list various drinking water related grants include:
SOURCE WATER 2000 - funding and assistance programs to protect small town and rural drinking water, published by NACO and The National Center for Small Communities (1998)
KEEPING NEW YORK’S WATERS PURE (.pdf) - published by NYS Legislative Commission on Rural Resources (2000)
New York State Department of State
Possible resources:
NY Rural Water Association, a Non Profit organization assisting the formation and operation of rural water and wastewater systems.
Governor Office of Small Cities- funding is competitive maximum of $600,000 Due date in April usually. Must be tied to economic development.