$31M sewer construction project in Newburgh has been completed

The City of Newburgh’s North Interceptor Sewer Improvement Project has been completed, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul and other officials. The project was touted as being crucial to protecting the water quality of the Hudson River and increasing storm resiliency.

The sewer project is notable as being the first clean water infrastructure construction project in New York state to receive funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The project was funded by state and federal money, including $28 million in grants and $3 million in interest-free financing.

In addition to $6 million in federal grants and interest-free financing from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the project received $15 million in state grants from the Water Quality Improvement Project and Water Infrastructure Improvement programs, a $5 million grant from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a $3 million federal Community Grant, and a $2 million grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The project included installation of 8,700 linear feet of new, larger sewer pipes and other upgrades to strengthen the city’s ability to withstand high water events and reduce pollution in the Hudson River. Microtunneling techniques were used to install over 2,000 linear feet of underground sewer pipeline without having to open up streets, reducing disruption for community residents and expediting construction. The new, larger pipes are increasing system capacity and reducing pollution discharged to the Hudson River by diverting more flows to the city’s treatment plant during wet weather events.

“Combined with our state’s unprecedented clean water investments, funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a crucial opportunity to make significant environmental improvements that will protect public health across the state for generations to come,” Hochul said.

Dan Shapley, who is senior director of advocacy, policy, and planning for the organization Riverkeeper, said, “Riverkeeper has advocated for more than 50 years to stop pollution in the Hudson. As communities up and down the river make investments to eliminate overflows from water treatment infrastructure that combines sewage and stormwater, this project means we’ll get to enjoy cleaner water. That’s good for all the life that relies on the Hudson, including us humans. Already most of the river is safe for swimming, most of the time and this project will help open more opportunities for safe recreation in the future.”