New York’s Drinking Water Market: Key Drivers and Funding

New York’s drinking water infrastructure needs are defined by its dense population centers and a strong commitment to clean water. The state is investing billions to modernize its systems and protect its vital waterways.

• Aging Infrastructure: A 2024 report estimates that New York has an over $38.7 billion funding gap over the next 20 years to repair its existing drinking water infrastructure. Many of the state’s water mains and treatment plants are decades old, leading to frequent main breaks and water loss.
• Environmental Protection: New York has a strong focus on protecting water quality. The state’s Department of Health and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) work to reduce pollutants and address emerging contaminants like PFAS, which is a major driver for treatment plant upgrades.
• State and Federal Funding: The primary sources of funding are:
  • Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): This federal-state partnership, administered by the EFC, provides low-interest loans and grants for a wide range of projects. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has infused the DWSRF with additional billions, with the EFC anticipating $857 million in financing for projects in a single federal fiscal year. You can find more information about the DWSRF and its project lists on the EFC website
  • Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grants: This program, managed by the EFC, provides competitive grants to help municipalities fund critical drinking water projects. The state has awarded $2.8 billion in water infrastructure grants since 2015. More details are available on the EFC’s website

Finding Future Projects with Early-Stage Sales Intelligence

In New York’s competitive market, waiting for an RFP is often too late. By the time a project is formally bid, the solution, technology, and even the preferred vendor may already be determined. Early-Stage Sales Intelligence is the key to winning. It means tracking public documents that signal a future project long before it’s officially announced.

• EFC’s Intended Use Plan (IUP): The EFC publishes an Intended Use Plan for the DWSRF that lists all nominated projects and their priority ranking. This document gives you a direct look into which communities are planning projects like water treatment plant upgrades, lead service line replacements, or new pipeline construction, often 1 to 5 years before an RFP is publicly released.
• Engineering Planning Grants (EPG): The EFC offers planning grants of up to $100,000 to help municipalities pay for the initial engineering and planning of future projects. Tracking the awardees of these grants is a powerful signal of a project that is in the very early stages of development.
• Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs): Many New York cities and counties publish multi-year CIPs that outline planned spending on drinking water projects. These documents, found on a city’s public works or finance webpage, provide a direct roadmap for upcoming projects.
• Public Meeting Records: Local government meeting minutes and preliminary engineering studies often contain discussions about infrastructure needs and proposed solutions. By tracking these documents, you can discover a community’s challenges and engage with key decision-makers 1 to 5 years before an RFP is ever created.

How Citylitics Can Help

Citylitics transforms fragmented public data into actionable Early-Stage Sales Intelligence. We analyze millions of public documents from sources like the EFC, the Department of Health, and local municipalities. Our platform provides a clear, forward-looking view of the Drinking Water market. By using Citylitics, you can:

• Identify Planned Projects: Our platform tracks projects mentioned in CIPs, budgets, and public meeting minutes, giving you a comprehensive view of which communities are planning to invest in their drinking water infrastructure.
• Follow the Funding: We monitor funding applications for the DWSRF and other programs to pinpoint which projects have secured financing and are most likely to move forward.
• Influence the Conversation: By finding projects early, you can engage with the right public officials and become a trusted advisor, helping to shape the project’s scope and specifications to align with your company’s strengths. This proactive approach significantly increases your chances of winning the project.

Learn how to uncover, target, and influence upcoming wastewater infrastructure projects. Request a demo of Citylitics today and start improving your win rates.