New York directs $168 million to upgrade town’s crumbling sewage system
(UC) — After the docu-series “Wasteland” brought attention to the failure of the water and sewer system in Mount Vernon, New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $168 million in investments for replacements and upgrades.
The announcement comes months after the series premiered, CBS News reported. The show is available on Paramount+.
The investment should immediately advance work to address longstanding water infrastructure and related public health challenges that have plagued Mount Vernon for decades, the governor’s announcement said.
At an event at Mount Vernon's City Hall, Hochul also announced the launch of a $7 million 'Third Street Sewer Project,' that, when complete, will ensure reliable wastewater service for 500 nearby households currently served by temporary pumps and a makeshift system staged in the street to ensure adequate wastewater collection.
Another $8 million will fund emergency repairs and jump start long-term planning for lead pipeline replacement, the announcement said.
"In too many communities of color like Mount Vernon, critical water infrastructure has been left to fall into disrepair, but today we are setting an example for the nation by advancing environmental justice, improving quality of life for residents, and addressing decades of disinvestment," Hochul said.
Thousands of residents are suffering from sewage backup problems and related health issues, and sewage flooding is making its way into the Hutchinson and Bronx rivers, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said.
“Mount Vernon's pipes are old, corroded and overburdened, and I am eager to begin this three-way partnership between the state, the county and the city to fix it,” he said.
In December, the governor announced a $10 million Water Quality Improvement Project program grant award from DEC to Mount Vernon that will improve water quality in the Hutchinson River by upgrading one portion of the city's municipal wastewater outfalls to prevent the discharge of raw sewage. This grant advances work required by the Federal Consent Decree.
Additional state investments to help address Mount Vernon's wastewater infrastructure challenges include a $1.6 million WQIP grant awarded in 2016.
Related News
From Archive
- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
Comments