Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media a $4.8 billion investment in the Hudson River watershed wastewater infrastructure is needed, according to a report released by Riverkeeper. The environmental advocacy group analyzed both the water quality and infrastructure needs along the 155 miles of the Hudson River and found that while the river is generally safe for swimming, raw sewage overflows and leaks from an aging and failing infrastructure often cause the water to be unsafe. Twenty-one percent of Hudson River Estuary samples failed to meet federal safe-swimming guidelines. Riverkeeper is calling for reducing combined sewer overflows, and fixing aging treatment plants, pump stations and pipes. The average age of sewer pipes in the region is more than 60 years, with some well over 100 years old. The report calls for a $132 million investment in the Capital Region, including Greene and Columbia counties. Riverkeeper is advocating for the federal government to double its funding for state revolving funds and an increase in state funding through existing water infrastructure improvement programs. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.