Four communities across New York's Finger Lakes region have been approved for approximately $30.2 million in state and federal funding to upgrade aging water and wastewater infrastructure. The funding, approved by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, represents a significant investment in regional water quality, public health protection, and system modernization. The announcement on December 14, 2025, provides critical financial resources to address deteriorating infrastructure that has required attention for many years.
The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation's approval combines state and federal resources, including both Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, to support these essential infrastructure improvements. By leveraging multiple funding sources, the state has enabled these smaller communities to address critical infrastructure needs that would be financially challenging to undertake independently. This coordinated funding approach demonstrates a commitment to equitable infrastructure investment across communities of varying sizes and financial resources.
The Village of Avon has been approved for $4.7 million to support comprehensive water system improvements. These funds will support water storage tank upgrades and distribution system improvements, addressing critical components of the village's drinking water infrastructure. The modernization of water storage facilities and distribution networks is essential for ensuring reliable water service to residents while meeting contemporary water quality standards.
Water storage infrastructure forms the backbone of any reliable municipal water system. Upgraded storage tanks ensure consistent water availability during peak demand periods and emergency situations. Distribution system improvements, including pipe upgrades and network optimization, reduce water losses, improve water quality throughout the delivery network, and enhance overall system reliability for residents across Avon.
The Village of Dresden has received $6.6 million specifically earmarked for replacing aging water infrastructure. This substantial investment will fund the replacement of 20,000 linear feet of aged asbestos-cement water pipe, a critical modernization project that addresses both infrastructure age and materials concerns. Asbestos-cement pipe, commonly installed during mid-20th century infrastructure construction, has exceeded its typical service life and poses both operational and environmental considerations.
The scale of this replacement project—20,000 linear feet—represents a comprehensive modernization of a significant portion of the village's water distribution network. This substantial infrastructure upgrade will improve water quality, reduce system losses, and extend the useful life of the village's water infrastructure for decades to come. Modern pipe materials and installation techniques will ensure more reliable and efficient water delivery to Dresden residents.
The Village of Penn Yan has been approved for $6.2 million in interest-free financing to support critical pumping infrastructure improvements. This funding will support Cherry Street Pump Station improvements and the installation of a new force main, addressing essential components of the village's water distribution system. Pump stations are critical infrastructure elements that move water through distribution networks and maintain appropriate system pressures.
The Cherry Street Pump Station improvements will modernize equipment and operational capabilities, while the new force main will enhance system capacity and reliability. Interest-free financing terms significantly reduce the financial burden on municipal ratepayers, allowing the village to modernize infrastructure without excessive rate increases. This approach balances the need for infrastructure investment with affordability considerations for residents.
The Village of Phelps has received the largest single award: $12.7 million in state grants and interest-free financing for comprehensive wastewater treatment plant upgrades. This substantial investment recognizes the critical importance of modern wastewater treatment in protecting public health and environmental quality. Wastewater treatment infrastructure forms the foundation of environmental protection and public health, particularly in communities adjacent to sensitive water bodies.
Wastewater treatment plant upgrades typically include modernized treatment processes, enhanced processing capacity, and environmental protection improvements. These upgrades enable communities to meet current environmental regulations while improving treatment efficiency and reducing operational costs over the facility's lifespan. The investment in Phelps' wastewater infrastructure protects both public health and the quality of water bodies in the broader Finger Lakes region.
The collective $30.2 million investment across these four Finger Lakes communities addresses critical infrastructure needs that are common to many municipalities across New York State. State officials emphasized that the funding combines state and federal resources to help communities modernize critical infrastructure without passing steep costs onto residents. This approach recognizes that essential infrastructure modernization, while necessary, can create significant financial burdens for smaller communities if not adequately supported through grant and low-interest financing programs.
Gov. Hochul's emphasis on protecting public health and water quality while maintaining rate stability reflects a comprehensive approach to infrastructure investment. By combining grants with low-interest financing, the state ensures that essential infrastructure upgrades occur without creating prohibitive rate increases for residents and businesses that depend on reliable water and wastewater services.
These approvals represent part of a broader state strategy to modernize aging water infrastructure across New York. Many communities across the state face similar challenges with infrastructure that has reached or exceeded its intended service life. By providing coordinated funding through state and federal programs, New York is enabling communities to systematically address infrastructure deficiencies while maintaining affordability for residents.
The Finger Lakes projects approved in December 2025 will improve water quality, enhance system reliability, and modernize infrastructure serving thousands of residents across the region. As these projects progress through 2026 and beyond, they will strengthen the regional water infrastructure foundation while demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated state and federal funding approaches to infrastructure modernization.
Source: Rochester First (WROC-TV), December 14, 2025
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