Thursday, March 20, 2025
World Water Day is coming up on Saturday, March 22. A day for people around the world to celebrate and advocate for clean water!
World Water Day was created in 1993 by the United Nations as a day of Observation “celebrating water and raising awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.“ It has been held on March 22 every year since.
In 1989, the Adirondack Park and the Champlain Valley area were designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve. This designation highlighted its unique biodiversity as being essential and vital for the survival of the human race. This includes the Park’s clean water.
For 50 years, the Adirondack Council has been a voice for protecting the waters of the Adirondack Park. Together with our partners, the Council has fought for the protection of freshwater by working to reduce the overuse of road salt, pushing for lasting protection of key water bodies through acquisition, and advocating for funding to support water quality research.
Clean Water Action
On this World Water Day—a day to draw attention to our life-sustaining freshwater resources—the Adirondack Council is focused on clean water action.
As the Adirondack Council works to strengthen our Clean Water Program with expanded community-based engagement, we are actively pursuing policy and budget solutions in Albany that will benefit all New Yorkers.
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Road Salt: The Adirondack Council is leading efforts to pass legislation establishing a New York State Road Salt Reduction Council and Advisory committee. The Bill was passed by the Senate in 2024 and this year, the Council is working to enhance the bill and get it passed in both houses.
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New York State Budget: In January 2025, the Council delivered testimony at a joint budget hearing on the Environmental Conservation portion of Governor Hochul’s executive budget proposal. In that testimony, we called for $600 million for water infrastructure improvement and septic system replacement grants, and $500 million for the Environmental Protection Fund to support the prevention of aquatic species spread and parkwide water quality research (SCALE).
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New York State Grants: Since 2016, the Council has helped secure $194 million in clean water infrastructure grants to Adirondack communities leveraging over $350 million in clean water projects. This means that communities in the Adirondacks get millions in assistance for clean water projects, helping both locals and those downstream.
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Lake Association Funding: The Council is also advocating for passage of legislation that would establish a new program at the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to provide technical assistance and funding to lake associations to establish and implement watershed management plans.
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Septic Funding: The Council continues its work in Albany to expand septic replacement funding eligibility for residents on lakes and waterbodies in the Park through a partnership with NYSDEC. In 2024, Council advocacy increased the number of eligible waterbodies from 12 lakes to more than 125.
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Wastewater Treatment Plant Funding: The Council held discussions with the Environmental Facilities Corporation and NYSDEC Water Division to prioritize remaining $200 million in wastewater treatment plant and sewer project needs in the Adirondack Park with an intra-agency working group created to advance these needs.
For 50 years, the Adirondack Council has been a voice for the pristine waters of the Park. Together with our partners and legislative leaders, the Council has fought for fresh water by working to reduce the overuse of road salt; pushing for lasting protection of key water bodies through acquisition; and advocating for funding to support water quality research.
This World Water Day, join us and take action to help protect clean water and other critical Adirondack programs by sending an email to New York state policymakers today.