Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Thursday, has announced the state Assembly budget proposal approved Monday includes $300 million for water and sewer infrastructure funding, $50 million more than was included in the governor's spending proposal.
The funds would be dispersed as grants to local governments making repairs or improvements to their water and sewer systems.
"This is yet another sign to the people of the town of Orleans and other parts of the state that the state Assembly is committed to making sure funding is available for critical projects in our communities," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"I know from my conversations with the governor's office that the commitment to finding the funding necessary to move the Orleans water project forward remains a priority. The additional funding provided in the Assembly budget proposal would provide another mechanism to make that happen," she said.
Orleans town officials have said they need an additional $3 million in funding to move forward with a $13 million water line project in the vicinity of Route 12 between Alexandria Bay and Fisher's Landing.
"I remain committed to working with local and state officials to move this project forward. The residents of the town of Orleans have been dealing with groundwater contamination for too long already. It is time for a solution. I am optimistic this extra pool of money included in the Assembly budget plan can provide the resources necessary to get the Orleans water project in the ground," Assemblywoman Russell said.
She noted a number of alarming situations involving drinking water have surfaced around the state and nation in recent weeks.
"The crisis in the town of Orleans needs to be fixed immediately. Providing safe drinking water to the residents of Orleans - and other communities facing similar issues - is a sound investment in our future. The health of our children and families depends on it," she said.
Assemblywoman Russell has previously directed $500,000 toward the project through the state Dormitory Authority.
The town has also been awarded an $11.4 million loan from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation, $500,000 through the North Country Economic Development Council and $100,000 from the state Senate.
Town officials have said they face regulations that mean they can only spend $8 million from the loan on the water project. Following a meeting Assemblywoman Russell attended with other state lawmakers and agency representatives in early February, assurances were made the funding gap would be closed through grant funding.
"These additional funds included in the Assembly budget would simply provide another tool to make sure that happens." Assemblywoman Russell said.