OWEGO, NY (607NewsNow) – State funding will benefit the Tioga County Department of Public Works (DPW).

The Tioga County DPW is receiving a $140,245 DEC grant to expand existing salt storage at its highway garage.

The new structure will house salt that’s currently uncovered, helping to reduce salt runoff, which officials say will protect an aquifer and nearby Catatonk Creek.

In the Town of Owego, a $62,400 grant will support a road salt reduction project. The money will go toward the installation of segmented, rubberized plow blades on its 14-truck winter maintenance fleet.

The new equipment helps contour and scrape snow and ice off road surfaces, which will help reduce the amount of salt used to keep roads safe and protect water quality in the Susquehanna River.

Click here for a full list of DEC Water Quality Improvement Project awards.