Statement from Legislator Scott M. Davis on $37.2M in State Funding for Hempstead Village Water Infrastructure
On Friday, Nov. 1, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that more than $435 million is being awarded to 102 critical water infrastructure projects across New York State through the Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant programs – including more than $37.2 million for the Village of Hempstead to apply toward water treatment infrastructure improvements to remove 1,4 Dioxane and PFAS from drinking water.
Following the announcing, Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis (D – Rockville Centre) issued the following statement:
“Paired with our Legislative ARPA allotment, this significant influx of State resources will enable Hempstead Village to remove 1,4 dioxane from its drinking water, replace the region's oldest water infrastructure with a state-of-the-art filtration system, and ease the tax burden that would have otherwise been placed upon Village business owners and its 59,000 residents,” Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis (D – Rockville Centre) said. “Legislator Bynoe and I appreciate the Governor’s recognition of this pivotal issue, and we remain steadfast in my commitment to enhancing and safeguarding the purity of Nassau County’s drinking water.”
These funds mark the second major influx of government resources to assist Hempstead Village in this endeavor.
Following months of diligent advocacy and successful negotiations spearheaded by Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Siela A. Bynoe (D – Westbury) and Legislator Davis, the full Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously on Monday, Sept. 23 to release $1.75 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the initial stages of the Hempstead Village water project. The funds were drawn from $15 million in ARPA funds that were set aside by the Legislature for eligible not-for-profit organizations and special districts that deliver ARPA-approved services.