New York State officials announced that 16 additional municipalities will receive free technical assistance through the state’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program.
The program, led by the State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health in partnership with other state agencies, is designed to help communities protect public drinking water supplies from contamination.
State officials said participating municipalities will work with technical assistance providers at no cost to develop and begin implementing local drinking water source protection plans. The program helps communities identify potential threats to drinking water sources and develop strategies to reduce pollution risks.
The newly selected municipalities include the cities of Dunkirk, Elmira, Glen Cove, Little Falls, and Saratoga Springs; the towns of Cazenovia, Keene, and Saugerties; and the villages of Chester, Delhi, Fonda, Middleburgh, Montgomery, Saugerties, Voorheesville, and Woodbury.
According to the DEC and DOH, the program also supports projects such as public education campaigns, land conservation efforts, protective zoning measures, and partnerships between neighboring municipalities to improve water quality protection.
Officials also announced updates to the Drinking Water Source Protection Program Framework for 2025, which provides guidance for communities participating in the initiative.
State officials said 117 municipalities across New York are now participating in the program since it launched in 2021.
