Governor Kathy Hochul announced $5.7 million in state capital grants for the Town of DeWitt to upgrade the Maple Drive Pump Station, a key step in improving the town’s water supply infrastructure. The funding supports the state’s clean water and affordability initiatives while addressing long-standing infrastructure needs in Central New York.
The Town of DeWitt has faced water supply shortfalls due to limitations from its primary provider, the City of Syracuse. Breaks in water mains, rising usage, and low reservoir levels have reduced some parts of the town’s water supply by roughly 50 percent. The town has relied on aging infrastructure that cannot handle sustained increases in demand, making the pump station upgrades critical to prevent system failures.
“On behalf of the Town of DeWitt, I want to sincerely thank Governor Kathy Hochul for this $5.7 million capital grant,” said Max Ruckdeschel. “Clean, safe drinking water is a necessity that many people take for granted. This critical investment will strengthen our water system’s reliability, protect public health, and support economic development in our community.”
Governor Hochul emphasized that the funding helps relieve burdens caused by outdated systems and rising water bills, while protecting public health and the environment. The announcement follows her recent 2026 State of the State address, where she outlined a $3.75 billion water infrastructure plan that would bring total investments in New York’s water systems to nearly $10 billion since 2017. The plan includes $750 million in water quality grants per year, a 50 percent increase from prior levels.
The Maple Drive Pump Station project is expected to enhance system resilience, ensure reliable water service for residents, and support local businesses, reinforcing New York State’s commitment to modern, safe, and sustainable water infrastructure.
