To the Editor:
Looking back at the record-breaking levels of rainfall that New York experienced in the past 15 years, from historic “100-year storm” levels of flooding in New York City subways to the devastating storms that have wrecked many Upstate communities — similar to the village of Hamilton — it has never been clearer how imperative it is to invest in our water and sewer infrastructure. With aging pipes, rising maintenance costs and looming threats from climate change, the importance of fair and accessible state funding to not only maintain but also improve water and sewer infrastructure has never been more evident. Local officials need to properly invest in their legacy infrastructure systems to ensure those systems will continue to function in the face of unpredictable and unprecedented weather conditions.
New York state has allocated millions of dollars, primarily through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act (CWIA), to provide financial assistance to municipalities for water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects that help reduce the potential risks to public health and the environment. However, the current system in place is complicated, and at times, expensive, and the money is not readily available for upgrades or preventive maintenance. To even be considered for funding, cities and villages face significant red tape and often must demonstrate an emergency rather than merely the desire to prevent an emergency. Furthermore, many municipalities lack the personnel and resources to apply for the funding their community needs.
NYCOM has long supported establishing an annual funding stream — similar to the successful Consolidated Local State and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) — that could be used by all cities and villages to address both their water and sewer infrastructure preventive maintenance costs, as well as assist in the undertaking of small-scale capital projects. Having this dedicated funding available will ensure the safe and effective operation of these systems without having to compete for limited resources or add to the property tax burden. It would also facilitate scheduled capital improvement planning that would allow for coordination with local road reconstruction projects, saving municipalities both time and money. Furthermore, the additional testing and remediation costs associated with the EPA’s lead and copper rule will only add to the increasing need for water system resources.
A meaningful investment in these systems would also expedite the ability of New York state to respond to the demand for more housing. Whether that is through the repurposing of commercial buildings in our downtowns, the rehabilitation of historic homes in our rural communities, or through new construction of multi-unit developments or townhouses in our suburbs, what lies beneath the surface must work in order for the Empire State to remain competitive for families making an investment here in New York.
Securing state funding for water and wastewater systems is not merely a financial necessity; it is critical to the health of the public and the environment. Through a dedicated fund that flows directly to municipalities, New York can usher in a new era of resilient, strategic, and well-maintained water and sewer infrastructure, which will also help to prevent more significant and costly emergencies and repairs. The benefits from this type of funding stream will reach every corner of the State as opposed to only those who can navigate a complex and expensive application process.
RuthAnn Loveless
Mayor
Village of Hamilton
The writer also is first vice president of NYCOM (the New York Conference of Mayors).
