WATERVLIET – The city celebrated Earth Week with the presentation of $4.98 million in clean water grants by state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos to help the city upgrade and install sewer lines to protect the Hudson River and to buy land to protect the city reservoir in Guilderland.
The announcement was made at Hudson Shores Park. The three grants that form the $4.98 million in state funds will benefit the city.
The city received $2.5 million to build a storm sewer drainage system in the Port Schuyler area to eliminate discharge of sewage into the river. This is part of the Albany Pool Long Term Control Plan to clean up the river in the area of Albany, Cohoes, Green Island, Rensselaer, Troy and Watervliet which have committed more than $130 million to reduce combined sewer overflows to the Hudson River by 2027.
The city also received $2 million to replace 13,150 linear feet of sewer lines to upgrade the sewer system and reduce pollution of the river.
The state awarded $480,000 to the city to buy a 58-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Watervliet Reservoir on Hurst Road to protect drinking water. The acreage will remain as forest land.
Assemblyman John T. McDonald III, D-Cohoes, said the sewer projects aren’t sexy but are vital for encouraging economic development along the river as it becomes cleaner.
State Sen. Jake Ashby, R-Schodack, said the state grants also contribute to sustainability for all river communities. It protects natural resource in the long run and helps attract businesses and residents, Mayor Charles Patricelli said.
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