Advocates are pushing back on the proposed state funding cuts for clean water infrastructure.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal for next year includes $250 million for clean water funding, which is just half of the $500 million investment in clean water that has been allocated in the past.

Funding has generally gone to supporting improvements to drinking water and the remediation of chemical substances known as PFAs.

Lawmakers and advocates alike warn that this reduction could worsen water quality and environmental conditions for New Yorkers.

Robert Hayes, the director of Clean Water at Environmental Advocates New York, a climate advocacy organization, joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Thursday to talk more about clean water investments in the state.

“New Yorkers see the water main breaks that are constantly happening. They can see the raw sewage being dumped into lakes and rivers from sewage overflows,” Hayes said. “We have enormous clean water needs here in New York state, and that’s why the state needs to continue investing to protect clean water, not cutting those investments.”