Water News

The State Legislature recently passed several of our priority bills that will improve water quality, protect natural areas, remove toxins from our environment, and encourage clean transportation.

The Environmental Bond Act would allocate $200 million for wastewater infrastructure projects and $100 million for municipal stormwater projects in New York.

The $3 billion Environmental Bond Actwill provide $550 million for open space land conservation and recreation projects if approved by voters this fall.

The Environmental Bond Act, officially known as the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act, will be on the ballot November 8 (with early voting starting Oct. 29), giving New Yorkers the opportunity to pass the state’s first environmental bond initiative this century.

Green infrastructure includes projects that mimic the natural environment to manage stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and cool temperatures throughout the city to mitigate the urban heat island effect. 

With bipartisan support from a group of 59 Senate co-sponsors including the Majority Leader and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as well as President Trump, “The Great American Outdoors Act,” if passed, would provide full dedicated funding for the LWCF and address the maintenance backlog in America’s national parks and other public lands.

During the General Election in November, New Yorkers will be able to vote to approve the Bond Act, which would be hugely advantageous for sustainability and resiliency efforts in New York. 

A combination of the words fat and iceberg, fatbergs are large masses of common household trash items that do not belong in the water works including cleaning wipes, grease, and various personal hygiene products. Improper disposal means clogged pipes, sewage backups, damaged equipment at wastewater treatment plants.