Our watersheds and water resources are vitally important to our way of life here in Chautauqua County and our water quality infrastructure helps to ensure that our lakes and waterways will be clean for generations to come. Building and maintaining this infrastructure is costly.

The Federal Clean Water Act established standards for protections and programs to assist states with the funding and implementation of water quality infrastructure. In New York, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater funding flow through the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC).

The EFC has launched the 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) for New York State. As required by law, New York participates in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national survey to assess the capital investment needed for water quality infrastructure. Participation by all communities is critical to ensure New York State continues to receive a high level of federal funding to support water quality infrastructure projects across the state through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Local governments and other eligible recipients are asked to submit documentation about their anticipated water quality infrastructure project needs. This documentation may include information that municipalities already have available to show estimated costs for needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades. Resources and instructions for participating in the survey are available on EFC’s website. Contact EFC at 518-402-6924 or nyscwns@efc.ny.gov with questions and register for the 2022 CWNS: What You Need to Know webinar to be held on March 29 at 11 a.m.

Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator Dave McCoy notes that the CWNS also encompasses a very broad area of capital investment needs for brownfields, sanitary landfills, green & gray infrastructure and a wide variety of non-point source projects.

To participate in the survey, your project must be Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) eligible. A list of eligible projects can be accessed at the following link EPA List of Eligible Projects.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are expected to deliver unprecedented levels of federal funding for environmental projects. Your participation in the CWNS will help ensure that New York State captures its fair share of this once in a generation funding opportunity.