BINGHAMTON — The Binghamton-Johnson City sewage-treatment plant needs “reconstruction and rehabilitation” work, and the City of Binghamton will use a
$20 million state grant to help pay for the work.
This funding supports a $5 million grant previously awarded under the same program the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced July 18.
The state awarded the funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act. The money is part of Cuomo’s
$2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, his office said in a news release.
Tropical Storm Lee and other flood events the same year “inundated” the plant in 2011, resulting in a total loss of treatment from the plant. It provides wastewater treatment for the City of Binghamton, the Village of Johnson City, and portions of the surrounding towns.
The $25 million grant award, combined with the interest-free and low-cost financing received through the state Environmental Facilities Corporation, will save ratepayers $134 million, Cuomo’s office said. The total estimated project cost is $330 million.
“For years, we’ve strongly advocated for additional state and federal funds for one of this region’s largest infrastructure projects,” Binghamton Mayor Richard David said in Cuomo’s release. “This is a culmination of those efforts. These grant funds will go directly to capital-project costs, which will reduce the burden on local ratepayers. I don’t believe the City has ever received a grant award of this size.”
