Following a press conference in Albany today, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) has called on Gov. Cuomo and Assembly leaders to include funding in this year’s budget for the Safe Water and Infrastructure Action Program (S.W.A.P), which allows municipalities to identity and swap out old pipes, gas lines and water mains for new technology that would save localities money over the long term. Brabenec is a co-sponsor of the accompanying legislation, A.9651.

“Providing a clean and plentiful water supply is one of the most rudimentary obligations of any government,” Brabenec said. “After the string of water contamination issues occurring nationwide in recent months, the last thing our residents should be worrying about is safe drinking water. The S.W.A.P initiative would save local governments, many of which are already strapped for cash, from making costly emergency repairs when pipes or water mains burst. Road and bridge repair is only half of the battle when it comes to infrastructure. A sufficient clean water supply powers everything from local restaurants to gas stations to homeowners. Our state depends on high-functioning infrastructure and we need to make this happen before the budget passes.”