The start of construction on the first water infrastructure project funded through the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 is underway in the Finger Lakes. Bond Act-funded wastewater treatment plant improvements in the town of Lyons will help make operations more reliable and significantly improve local water quality for recreational activities in the region.
The Town of Lyons was awarded $804,655 in Bond Act funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) program in December 2023 as part of the state’s announcement of $479 million for water quality projects, including the first $200 million awarded through the Bond Act. According to the Governor’s Office, the WIIA and Intermunicipal Grant (IMG) programs administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) were named as tools in the voter-approved Bond Act to help leverage funding for water quality and resilient infrastructure improvements.
With Bond Act support, the town of Lyons is installing a new ultraviolet disinfection system at the plant. Upgrades will help make operations more reliable and significantly improve local water quality for recreational activities in the region, including the adjacent Barge Canal and Clyde River. Lyons is designated as a disadvantaged community by the State and the project helps advance the environmental justice requirements in the Act to help those most impacted by pollution and climate change.
The town’s $4.2 million project is being supported with additional State and federal investments to help the town meet its critical wastewater infrastructure needs. These investments include $2.4 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law administered by EFC, and a $1 million Water Quality Improvement Program grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in addition to the WIIA grant through the Bond Act. The project was jumpstarted with an Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) from EFC. EPG helps municipalities with crucial planning so they can advance fiscally sound and well-designed projects to construction.
Lyons Town Supervisor James Brady said, “This project is incredibly important to the Town of Lyons — we need clean water, clean air and green jobs. Our project is on track and on budget and we look forward to completing it quickly. We thank Governor Hochul and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation for funding this important project and helping us get it underway.”
Wayne County Board of Supervisors Chairman Anthony Verno Jr. said, “Wayne County appreciates the support to improve wastewater treatment in the town of Lyons. These improvements are necessary for job growth and expansion of business opportunities.”
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “EFC today celebrates with the Town of Lyons and our partners in government the start of this critical environmental infrastructure project, which will modernize the wastewater treatment plant and ensure local waters are safe and fishable. EFC is proud to help the Town get this important project underway by leveraging Bond Act funds with other State and federal resources.”
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