Hochul Awards $26 Million for Water Quality Projects
Sixteen projects across 12 communities in Herkimer and Oneida counties will receive state grants for water infrastructure work.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Gov. Kathy Hochul has awarded nearly $26 million in grants to fund 16 water quality projects across 12 communities in Herkimer and Oneida counties. The Herkimer County Sewer District will receive the largest single award, $10 million, to upgrade its wastewater treatment system.
Why it matters
The projects target failing culverts, erosion, and wastewater treatment in the region, aiming to improve water quality and flood resiliency for New York residents. The awards bring state funding to local governments that would otherwise bear these infrastructure costs alone.
The $10 million Herkimer County Sewer District award and the $2 million Annsville culvert grant are the two largest individual allocations in the package. The $378,342 New Hartford vacuum truck purchase is the smallest of the named awards, and the announcement does not disclose the full breakdown of the remaining projects.
The players
Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul is the Governor of New York, serving as the state's chief executive and overseeing the state agencies that administer infrastructure and environmental grant programs.
The details
The Herkimer County Sewer District project includes improvements to the Frankfort pump station and a switch to ultraviolet disinfection. Herkimer County will also receive $50,000 to study replacing a failing culvert on Elizabethtown Road, which is causing severe erosion.
Timeline
The grant announcement was published on November 4, 2026.
Philanthropy Context
The awards continue New York's use of state-funded grants under the Clean Water Infrastructure Act to fund local wastewater and stormwater projects. Smaller municipalities in upstate counties depend on this kind of state support to replace aging culverts and treatment systems.
Residents in the affected communities may see improvements to wastewater treatment and stormwater management as the funded projects proceed. The awards reduce the financial burden on local governments that would otherwise pay for these upgrades through local taxes or fees.
The takeaway
State grants can make a meaningful difference for small upstate communities facing expensive infrastructure repairs. Following local government announcements can show when and where these projects move forward.
Further reading
For related coverage of charitable and public giving, see Philanthropy on Wisevoter.
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Do you support state spending on local water infrastructure in your community?
