Albany, NY — On January 15, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $265 million in grants to support critical water quality improvements and climate resiliency projects across New York State. This substantial funding package will help municipalities protect drinking water, update aging water infrastructure, reduce harmful algal blooms, and safeguard communities from severe weather events and flooding.
Governor Hochul's announcement comprises two major grant programs, each addressing different but complementary infrastructure needs:
Of the $211 million in water quality funding, more than $209 million was distributed through the WQIP program to 131 projects specifically designed to improve water quality, protect drinking water sources, and promote flood risk reduction and restoration.
The funded initiatives address critical infrastructure challenges across New York:
Governor Hochul highlighted several significant awards during announcement events:
Yonkers Projects: The City of Yonkers received two grants totaling more than $6.66 million for culvert replacement and streambank stabilization along Troublesome Brook near major roadway crossings. These improvements will reduce flood risk and protect water quality in the Hudson River and groundwater.
Sleepy Hollow Initiative: The Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Sleepy Hollow Local Development Corporation were awarded $600,000 to construct a salt storage facility and protect water quality in the Hudson River and groundwater supplies.
Bronx River Restoration: Save the Sound, Inc. received $2 million for dam removal and critical habitat restoration along the Bronx River, demonstrating the state's commitment to ecological recovery alongside water quality.
This $265 million announcement represents part of Governor Hochul's larger environmental agenda outlined in her 2026 State of the State address. She proposed a historic five-year, $3.75 billion commitment to modernize New York's water systems, providing $750 million annually to deliver clean water while supporting economic growth.
Since 2017, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature have invested $6 billion in clean water infrastructure. With the new commitment, that total will reach nearly $10 billion in state investment in water quality — a remarkable commitment to public health and environmental protection.
The grants were awarded through New York's Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process, which streamlines state resource allocation and reduces bureaucracy. Projects were evaluated based on their potential to:
More than $185 million of the awarded grants specifically support improvements in environmental justice communities, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive adequate resources for water infrastructure upgrades.
These grants are funded through multiple sources, including New York's $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act, which was approved by voters in November 2022. The Bond Act has invested more than $1.9 billion to date in environmental protection projects across the state, including water quality, climate resilience, and green job creation.
Access to safe, clean drinking water is a fundamental right, yet many New York municipalities struggle with aging infrastructure built decades ago. Lead-contaminated pipes, inefficient treatment systems, and aging sewers create public health risks, environmental degradation, and costly emergency repairs. This investment allows communities to address these challenges proactively while building resilience against increasingly severe weather events linked to climate change.
For construction companies and contractors, these grants represent significant project opportunities across the state in water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and climate-resilient construction practices.
Industry Insight: Westside Construction Group brings 30+ years of experience managing complex water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and climate-resilient projects across Upstate New York. For consultation on your water infrastructure or resilience project: (585) 440-0304 or www.buildwcg.com
For more information about water quality projects in your region, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at dec.ny.gov or the Environmental Facilities Corporation at efc.ny.gov.
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