Hochul’s clean water budget cut by half as advocates and lawmakers push for more money

It’s Time to Prioritize Clean Water Spending in New York

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) —

Environmentalists and state lawmakers are calling for increased investment in clean water infrastructure in New York to ensure safe drinking water for all residents. The need for clean and safe water has become increasingly urgent, with threats such as toxic ‘forever chemicals’ and lead pipes compromising water quality.

Proposed Budget Cuts Raise Concerns

However, concerns have been raised about Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget, which includes a significant reduction in clean water spending. The budget plans to slash funding from $500 million to $250 million per year for the next two years, potentially hindering efforts to provide access to safe and clean water for New Yorkers.

Addressing the PFAS Crisis

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced new drinking water standards to limit exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as ‘forever chemicals.’ These stricter standards require significant resources to address the PFAS crisis and install new treatment technologies in communities across New York.

1. Robert Hayes, Director of Clean Water with Environmental Advocates NY, emphasized the need for additional resources to tackle the PFAS crisis.
2. Public water utility companies will bear the cost of meeting the EPA’s new testing standards.
3. Hayes called for state support to aid communities in implementing the necessary treatment technologies.

Combatting Lead Contamination

The EPA is also cracking down on lead contamination in drinking water. Many communities in New York, including the Capital Region, are grappling with the crisis of lead exposure from old water service lines.

• Assemblyman John McDonald (D-Cohoes) highlighted the urgent need to replace hundreds, if not thousands, of lead service lines.
• The EPA recently issued tighter regulations, establishing zero tolerance for lead in water.

McDonald and the state legislature are determined to secure more funding for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act in the budget. They argue that the proposed budget cut is unacceptable and are advocating for an increase in funding to $600 million, surpassing the previous allocation of $500 million per year since 2019.

Ensuring Adequate Funding for Clean Water

Robert Hayes supports McDonald’s stance and emphasizes the importance of not only maintaining but also increasing funding for clean water programs. He acknowledges that the latest EPA announcement underscores the growing need to protect and clean water across the state.

The Governor’s Office provided the following statement to CBS 6:

“Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget makes record-setting investments in New York’s future while ensuring the state remains on a stable long-term fiscal trajectory, and she will work with the Legislature to craft a final budget that achieves these goals.”

A statewide report estimates that $80 billion is required to address the water and wastewater system issues in New York.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 6.1: Percentage of population with access to safely managed drinking water services.
• Indicator for SDG 6.3: Percentage of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
• Indicator for SDG 11.1: Percentage of population with access to basic services, including water supply.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

The article highlights the issues related to clean water and sanitation, specifically the need for safe drinking water and the reduction of pollutants in water sources. These align with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of access to basic services, including water supply, which relates to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Based on the content of the article, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 6.1, which aims to achieve universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, and SDG 6.3, which focuses on improving water quality by reducing pollution and hazardous materials. Furthermore, SDG 11.1 emphasizes the need to ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services, including water supply.

The article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards these targets. For SDG 6.1, the indicator would be the percentage of the population with access to safely managed drinking water services. For SDG 6.3, the indicator would be the percentage of bodies of water with good ambient water quality. Lastly, for SDG 11.1, the indicator would be the percentage of the population with access to basic services, including water supply.

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Source: cbs6albany.com

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