Saratoga.com logo
Saratoga.com logo
  • Places to Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Businesses
  • Travel Guides
Saratoga Business Journal
  • Home
  • New Businesses
  • Business News
  • Business Reports
  • Business Briefs
  • Business Registrations
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Contact Us
Home  »  Business News  »  Senator Tedisco: Addressing State’s Aging Water And Sewer Infrastructure Is A Top ‘17 Priority
Business News

Senator Tedisco: Addressing State’s Aging Water And Sewer Infrastructure Is A Top ‘17 Priority

Posted onJanuary 6, 2017January 9, 2017
State Senator Jim Tedisco represents the 49th District that includes part of Saratoga County.
State Senator Jim Tedisco represents the 49th District that includes part of Saratoga County.

By Sen. Jim Tedisco

New York’s aging water and sewer infrastructure, some of which dates back to the Civil War, is the lurking monster which will not go away if we just close our eyes and wish it away.

On the contrary, that monster can catastrophically attack at any time the safety of our drinking water, sewer and gas lines and the ability of taxpayers to afford repairs.

Support for infrastructure including our underground infrastructure that is an important part of the foundation under our roads, sidewalks and bridges is going to be one of my highest priorities this year as I join the New York State Senate as the new representative for the 49th Senate District.

We have a great CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) that provides a formula-based annual funding source for local governments to maintain and repair local roads and bridges. However, we will only put good money after bad if we keep filling potholes and repairing roads when the infrastructure that’s underneath is deteriorating.

That’s why I’ve authored and am sponsoring S.WA.P. (Safe Water infrastructure Action Program) legislation to replicate the success of the CHIPS program on the state level to allow local governments to S.W.A.P.-out deteriorating drinking water, storm water, gas lines, sanitary sewer and dams and water tower infrastructure to protect the safety of our water supply and save tax dollars later.

Last year, a century-old water main break in Troy caused a major disruption for the Collar City and a ripple-effect for several towns that purchase water from the city who were forced to declare states of emergency to conserve water.

In just the past few months, we’ve had a water-main break in Albany creating a sinkhole that swallowed a car, a sewer break in Amsterdam, a main break forcing the closure of Schenectady City Hall for a few days and two main breaks in Rotterdam.

These are just the latest examples of why we need the S.W.A.P. program that Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett conceived of and several of my state colleagues and I have put into legislation to repair and maintain vital local drinking water, sewer, storm water management and gas line infrastructure. It is intended to protect lives, secure the viability of roads and bridges above ground, save tax dollars, and keep New York an economic destination for business and industry and job creation.

Unlike, the current “Hunger Games”-like competitive grant program for water infrastructure that’s now in place and only benefits a few towns who win a grant chosen by the administration, S.W.A.P. would provide annual funding to all municipalities in the state via a fair and transparent formula similar to the CHIPs program. It would allow them to identify and swap out old, deteriorating pipes, water mains and gas lines to better maintain the state’s infrastructure.

In addition to the present grants program,  we’d like to see the state budget allocate funding to implement the S.W.A.P. program.

Several municipalities have expressed support for S.W.A.P. and passed resolutions, including Saratoga County, Troy and the towns of Clifton Park, Ballston, Glenville, Halfmoon, Malta, East Greenbush and Corinth.

Small towns and villages simply do not have the financial and human resources to be continually repairing and replacing sewer systems and old pipes. That’s why I’m going to be strongly advocating to the governor and legislative leaders for passage of S.W.A.P., either on its own or through funding in this year’s state budget.

It’s time to get serious about creating this CHIPS-like program. The longer we wait, the worse it will get and the more lives and tax dollars could potentially be negatively impacted when breaks occur.

Replicating the success of the CHIPS program on the state level will allow local governments to S.W.A.P.-out deteriorating drinking water, storm water, gas lines, sanitary sewer, water towers and dams infrastructure makes sense because an ounce of prevention now can save tax dollars later and prevent costly breaks.

 

Previous Article Saratoga City Center Operations Director Is Named Executive Director, Replacing Baker
Next Article Iconic Coffeehouse Caffè Lena Reopens After A Year Of Renovation And Modernization
Subscribe to Our Newsletter View the Latest Virtual Edition

Categories

  • 50-Plus
  • Banking
  • Banking / Asset Managment
  • Building Trades
  • Business Briefs
  • Business News
  • Business Registrations
  • Business Reports
  • Commercial / Residential Real Estate
  • Community Services
  • Construction
  • Construction Planning
  • Corporate Tax / Business Planning
  • Cyber / Tech
  • Dining Guide
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Outlook 2016
  • Economic Outlook 2017
  • Economic Outlook 2018
  • Economic Outlook 2019
  • Economic Outlook 2020
  • Economic Outlook 2022
  • Economic Outlook 2023
  • Economic Outlook 2024
  • Economic Outlook 2025
  • Education/ Training/ Personal Development
  • Entrepreneurial Women
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environment / Development
  • Financial Planning / Investments
  • Fitness / Nutrition
  • Health / Community Services
  • Health & Fitness
  • Health & Wellness
  • Healthcare
  • Holiday Guide
  • Holiday Shopping
  • Home / Energy
  • Home / Insurance
  • Home & Real Esate
  • Insurance / Employee Benefits
  • Insurance / Medical Services
  • Legal / Accounting
  • Meet The Chef
  • New Businesses
  • Non-Profit
  • Office / Computer / New Media
  • Office / HR / Employment
  • Office/ Technology/ E-Commerce
  • Outlook 2021
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Retirement Planning
  • Senior Living / Retirement
  • Summer Construction
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness
  • Women In Business
  • Workplace / Security / Legal
  • Year-End Tax Planning

Archives

  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
Connect With Us

Follow, like and subscribe to Saratoga.com on social media

Account Sign In Submit An Event
Saratoga.com logo
  • Home
  • Places To Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Real Estate
  • Businesses
  • Guides
  • Contact Us
  • Blogs
  • Sweepstakes
  • Advertising
Visit Saratoga.com For Everything Saratoga
Full-Service Internet Marketing: Search Engine Optimization, Website Design and Development by Mannix Marketing, Inc.
Mannix Marketing, Inc. is headquartered near Saratoga Springs in Glens Falls, New York
Saratoga.com All Rights Reserved © 2025
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy / Terms of Use / Copyright Policies
[uc-privacysettings]

We strive to insure accuracy on Saratoga.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information is subject to change.
Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here.

Having trouble using this site? Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements.