New York’s Wastewater Market: Key Drivers and Funding

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

• Aging Infrastructure: Many of New York’s wastewater treatment plants and sewer systems, particularly in older cities, are decades old and are in desperate need of repair or replacement. This aging infrastructure contributes to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that release untreated sewage into rivers and harbors, a major environmental issue.
• Environmental Protection: New York has a strong focus on protecting water quality. The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) 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: New York has made a nation-leading commitment to water infrastructure, investing over $6 billion since 2017. The primary sources of funding are:
  • Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF): This federal-state partnership, administered by the EFC, provides low-interest loans and grants for a wide range of projects. Since 1987, the program has provided approximately $22.9 billion in funding for clean water projects. You can find more information about the CWSRF 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 wastewater projects. The state has awarded $2.8 billion in grants for 1,100 projects since 2015. More details are available on the EFC’s website.
  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): The BIL has infused New York’s CWSRF with additional billions, including funds specifically for emerging contaminants. The EPA has announced over $450 million in new funding for New York, accelerating progress on essential clean water projects.

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 CWSRF that lists all nominated projects and their priority ranking. This document gives you a direct look into which communities are planning projects like plant upgrades, sewer system rehabilitation, and combined sewer overflow controls, often 1 to 5 years before an RFP is publicly released.
• Engineering Planning Grants (EPG): The EFC and DEC offer planning grants 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 wastewater 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, DEC, and local municipalities. Our platform provides a clear, forward-looking view of the Wastewater 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 wastewater infrastructure.
• Follow the Funding: We monitor funding applications for the CWSRF 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.