Carmel Awarded $5M for Water District Improvements

The Town of Carmel has been awarded $5 million in state funding for critical upgrades to its Water District Number 2 treatment plant, helping – in part – to reduce the entire cost of the project by $20 million.

The funding was awarded through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s $500 million Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program as part of a statewide investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, supporting 106 projects across the state.

Carmel Town Councilman Rob Kearns, who has championed for a more cost-effective way to update the water district, called the funding “a tremendous victory for the taxpayers.”

“From the beginning, I pushed our grant team to explore every possible funding opportunity to help reduce the financial burden of the Carmel Water District 2 project,” he said. “That effort included conducting a comprehensive income survey to help position the town to qualify for this critical funding.”

The funding will support upgrades to Carmel’s WD2 treatment plant, helping to address aging infrastructure and strengthen the long-term reliability of the community’s drinking water system.

“In 2024, I stood alone as the only ‘no’ vote against a proposed $28 million water treatment plant project for Carmel Water District Number 2,” said Kearns. “At the time, I made it clear that we needed to go back out to bid and find a more affordable, fiscally responsible solution without sacrificing the quality or efficiency of the project. We did exactly that.”

As the estimated project cost was brought to about $13 million, the grant team was pushed to “aggressively pursue every possible funding opportunity to further reduce the financial burden on our residents,” according to Kearns. “That effort led to an income survey throughout the hamlet of Carmel, opening the door to additional grant opportunities.”

All told, this brings the project cost down to $8 million for the town.

“This is what happens when you challenge the status quo, ask the tough questions, refuse to accept the first answer, and fight for the people you represent,” said Kearns. “I want to thank the residents who stood alongside me and demanded a better solution, as well as everyone who worked tirelessly to make this possible.”

The funding was announced by Assemblyman Matt Slater, R-Yorktown.

“This $5 million investment is a tremendous win for the Town of Carmel and the hardworking taxpayers who depend on safe, reliable drinking water,” he said. “Investments in our water infrastructure are investments in public health, economic stability, and the future of our communities. By securing state resources for these essential improvements, we can protect our drinking water while keeping affordability at the forefront.”