A popular Adirondack lake is getting some help to fight harmful algal blooms.

"It's the largest single public works project ever undertaken in the Lake George basin," said Lake George Village Mayor Robert Blais.

He says the construction to replace its current wastewater treatment plant is on schedule. The project broke ground in August after the state Department of Environmental Conservation ordered the village to fix the plant's excessive discharge of nitrate. 

“Nitrate is a significant nutrient and a pollutant, increases algae growth," said Lake George Water Keeper Chris Navitsky.

He says that was a concern since the lake is the drinking water source for the village. That led to the ground breaking of a permanent fix, instead of a band aid.

But when construction started, there was uncertainty on the funding for this estimated $24 million project. 

"Prior to that, we had only garnered about $7.5 million and our taxpayers in the village were faced with an increase of about 40 percent in their real property taxes," Blais said.

But that changed last week. As part of his State of the State agenda, Gov. Cuomo announced an additional $9.4 million in state grants for the project. The remaining third will be covered with a zero-interest loan.

“This was a needed grant and again very welcomed,” Navitsky said.

In addition, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said last week $24 million is being provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Aquatic Plant Control Program, and $16 million for the Aquatics Nuisance Research Program. 

Blais says this research and the new plant will continue to help battle harmful algal blooms. The project is expected to be done by May 2021.