The City of Geneva has secured more than $12 million in state and federal funding to replace aging lead water service lines and improve drinking water infrastructure, according to reporting by the Finger Lakes Times.
City Manager Amie Hendrix announced that Geneva has been awarded $12.46 million in grants and loans for the city’s Lead Service Line Replacement Project. The initiative is designed to identify and replace lead service lines throughout Geneva’s water distribution system while supporting long-term infrastructure improvements.
The funding package includes up to $8.7 million in grant funding and up to $3.7 million in interest-free financing through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funding is administered by the New York State Department of Health and the Environmental Facilities Corporation.
“This funding represents a transformative investment in Geneva’s water infrastructure and the health of our community,” Hendrix said in a statement. “Replacing lead service lines is one of the most important actions we can take to safeguard drinking water quality for current and future generations.”
Public Works Director Joe Venuti credited city staff and residents for helping secure the funding. He said completion of the city’s lead service line inventory was a key component of the application process, requiring cooperation from water customers who responded to surveys and allowed inspections of their service lines.
According to the Finger Lakes Times, the funding was approved following an evaluation by the state Department of Health through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, though additional approvals are still required.
City officials said the project is expected to improve public health, strengthen infrastructure resiliency and support the long-term sustainability of Geneva’s drinking water system.
