Village of Kiryas Joel, NEW YORK
NYS Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund Awards

With this transformative award funding, The Village of Kiryas Joel will now be able to construct a water treatment facility which is the final component of a nearly 20-year multi-phased Catskill Aqueduct Connection Project. This facility will enable current and future Village residents’ access to clean potable aqueduct-sourced water.

Withdrawals from the groundwater aquifers underlying southwest Orange County have been approaching maximum yield and have proven unreliable. Due to the expanding Village population, as well as increased regional pressure on limited groundwater resources, the Village’s existing groundwater-dependent potable water system could not be relied upon to meet current and future demands. To overcome the chronic supply deficit, the Village was occasionally forced to truck in additional water at times of peak water demand. Groundwater wells are also becoming increasingly at risk due to demands from other nearby communities relying on their limited supply as well as from contaminants, including PFOA and PFOS.

Compounding these source water constraints, demand for water in the Village has been rapidly rising along with intense local population growth. The Village is facing a housing shortage but have not been able to move forward with planned development until a stable water supply is secured. Construction of the water treatment facility will allow the Village to finally take advantage of their Tap into the NYC aqueduct, subsequently allowing for the development of 5, 257 planned housing units (of which 20% are mandated by Village law to be affordable housing) to help mitigate the Village’s pressing housing needs.

“The second round of Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund awards reflects our proactive approach to addressing New York’s critical housing shortage while strengthening the infrastructure needed for thriving, resilient communities,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “From securing clean water in Orange County to revitalizing downtown Mount Vernon, these strategic investments demonstrate our ongoing partnerships with Pro-Housing Communities that actively support growth and economic opportunity.”

With the 13.5-mile pipe installed, multiple pump stations built, and the water filtration plant designed, this final critical component in building the water treatment facility is the final step in securing the new water supply, and will provide the Village with the critical resource it needs to enable built and planned housing, obtain certificates of occupancy, and provide water and housing for current and future residents.

This project aligns with the Regional Economic Development Council’s Strategic Plan/Upstate Revitalization Initiative Plan by setting “a strong foundation for economic growth by investing in infrastructure, transportation, and housing” through identifying municipalities in need of “the capital funds to rehabilitate their waterworks” and sets “a strong foundation for economic growth by investing in infrastructure, transportation, and housing” through identifying municipalities in need of “the capital funds to rehabilitate their waterworks”.

Working with the Village, Laberge Group assisted in writing and applying for the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund award, as well as a $2,000,000 awarded FY24 EPA Community Grant Award to aid in funding for the water treatment facility. Grant administration for the project will be provided by the experienced Village staff with assistance, as needed, from Laberge Group community development consultant(s) and engineers.

Read more in the Governor’s press release regarding the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund Awards to Accelerate Housing Development Across the Region.