BAINBRIDGE – A years-long venture to upgrade the water system in the Village of Bainbridge is receiving a financial boost from New York State.

The NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) announced this month that the village is slated for $4 million in state grants and interest-free financing to shore up its sewer system. Improvements will make the system more resilient during heavy rainfall and help protect water quality in the Susquehanna River.

Bainbridge Mayor Philip Wade said the latest round of grant funding supports a large-scale $6.5 million water and sewer project that has been underway in the village for years.

“It takes a lot of patience and discussions and decisions by engineering firms and the village board to get through a project like this,” Wade said. “It’s a long and involved process.”

The EFC grant to upgrade sewer lines bolsters previous funds awarded to the village for its water and sewer project. When they received a previous state grant to fund a preliminary study of the village’s water infrastructure, Bainbridge officials contracted with Barton & Loguidice, a Syracuse-based engineering firm, to identify vulnerabilities in the village’s water system. Results of the study were used to apply for the latest round of EFC grants.

The span of the project includes the replacement of nonfunctioning water line valves, hydrants, water mains and cross connects. At present, the village is gaining easements with property owners and the Norfolk Southern Railway to replace water lines underneath the railroad that cuts through the village.

While state-sponsored grants will cover most of the cost, the village intends to finance the remaining $2.5 million using EFC low-interest loans, said Wade. Village officials put a construction bid out earlier this month with hopes of having work started by mid-fall. Wade said that work will likely continue into early next year with a goal of being completed by summer.

“We don’t have a definite timeline yet,” Wade said. “It will be based on the responses we get from our bid proposals.”

“The water system is a vital and important facility for our village, and one that needs to be maintained,” Wade added. “We’re making good progress and intend to use financing and the grant money to keep it in good shape.”