A $3.1 million wastewater infrastructure project has been completed in the Town of Westport, Essex County, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The project aims to protect public health and the environment while supporting Lake Champlain’s role in the local tourism economy. Funding for the improvements came from state, federal, and local sources to help reduce costs for local residents.
Governor Hochul stated, “Every New Yorker deserves access to affordable clean water and reliable infrastructure. This investment in Westport is a win for families, local businesses, and the millions who visit Lake Champlain each year. By making critical upgrades affordable for small communities, we’re protecting public health, supporting a vital tourism economy and building a more sustainable future for the Adirondacks, North Country and beyond.”
The work focused on rehabilitating Sewer District No. 1 by repairing deteriorated pipes and manholes that had allowed stormwater and groundwater into the system. These repairs have reduced inflow and infiltration issues that previously strained the wastewater treatment plant and threatened the watershed.
Upgrades included lining or replacing gravity sewers and manholes in key areas of Westport’s district. As a result, there is now greater reliability in wastewater treatment operations and improved compliance with state environmental regulations. These changes are expected to directly benefit water quality in Lake Champlain.
Financial support was provided through several channels: a $1.9 million Water Quality Improvement Project grant; a $100,000 Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant; a $309,000 Water Infrastructure Improvement grant; and $928,000 in interest-free hardship financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The CWSRF funding is projected to save ratepayers over $1.3 million compared to traditional financing methods.
According to information from New York State authorities, loans subsidized through State Revolving Funds can reduce community interest payments by as much as 75 percent when compared with borrowing on municipal bond markets (https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/clean-water-state-revolving-fund-cwsrf).
State officials emphasize that repayments made to these funds create recurring revenue streams for future infrastructure needs across New York State—delivering over $1 billion annually for clean water projects statewide (https://efc.ny.gov/clean-water-state-revolving-fund-cwsrf). Targeted grants combined with revolving fund loans are part of New York’s strategy to maximize infrastructure investments while reducing financial pressure on families.
Governor Hochul’s broader agenda includes allocating 22 percent of this year’s State Revolving Fund assistance—$263 million—to Adirondack communities alone. Over the past decade, more than $623 million has gone toward projects within this region via state or federal grants administered by EFC (Environmental Facilities Corporation), including $316 million specifically through Water Infrastructure Improvement grants.
In addition to these efforts, at least $75 million remains available through DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project program (WQIP), which has funded 76 projects totaling more than $71 million in Adirondack communities over ten years.
Applications for further grant funding can be submitted via New York State’s Consolidated Funding Application until July 31, 2025.
To address ongoing challenges faced by small municipalities—even with substantial state support—Governor Hochul directed EFC to double grant awards from 25 percent up to 50 percent of eligible project costs for struggling communities this year.
EFC President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Modern, reliable wastewater systems are essential to community health and environmental protection. EFC is pleased to support the Town of Westport’s strategic investments in its water infrastructure, making this project affordable for ratepayers and ensuring that Lake Champlain continues to thrive as both an ecological asset and a cornerstone of the local tourism economy.”
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton commented on statewide efforts: “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is making record investments to enhance water quality in Lake Champlain and in communities throughout the state. Overhauling Westport’s aging infrastructure and updating wastewater treatment operations reduce pollution and phosphorus that impairs Lake Champlain, threatens drinking water, and contributes to harmful algal blooms. DEC looks forward to continuing to make these essential investments to reduce the financial burden on New Yorkers, safeguard drinking water, and ensure our natural resources are well protected.”
Senator Charlies Schumer added: “Lake Champlain is a crown jewel of the North Country and boosts our local tourism economy. I’m proud to have delivered nearly $1 million in federal funding to modernize the Town of Westport’s wastewater system. This upgrade will help keep Lake Champlain clean by cleaning up the gravity sewers and manholes, preserving the lake’s crucial role for tourism in the North Country – all while creating good-paying jobs, jobs, jobs. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in the fight to turn the tide on our state’s aging water sewer infrastructure to keep our communities economically safe, healthy and vibrant.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated: “The health and safety of our communities is dependent on access to safe and reliable water infrastructure. Far too many across the country lack access to the functional and efficient water systems they need, and I am proud that this project will help protect the welfare of Westport families and the millions who visit Lake Champlain every year. I will continue fighting in the Senate to bring home more funding to modernize our aging infrastructure so that all New Yorkers have access to the clean and efficient water systems they deserve.”
Town Supervisor Michael “Ike” Tyler said: “This project was essential for our community. With State support, we were able to take on a critical infrastructure challenge in a way that was financially responsible for our residents. These upgrades will protect our residents, our environment, and the lake we all depend on.”
Essex County Chairman Shaun Gillilland noted: “This project is a showcase example of teamwork at all levels of New York and local government to combat and alleviate the most challenging stresses on rural infrastructure; namely modernizing and improving older public wastewater systems to ensure they improve—and not deteriorate—our natural water resources and drinking water.”
New York has allocated an additional $500 million toward clean water infrastructure as part of its FY26 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-enacted-fy-2025-budget-highlights). Since 2017 total investment stands at approximately $6 billion statewide (https://efc.ny.gov/water-infrastructure-improvement-act-wiia).
Communities seeking assistance with similar projects are encouraged by officials to contact EFC or apply online at www.efc.ny.gov where they can also track progress using an interactive dashboard.
