Governor Tom Wolf announced the investment of $97 million for 25 drinking water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source projects across 19 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
The funding for these projects comes from: state funds approved by voters; Growing Greener; Marcellus Legacy funds; federal grants to PENNVEST from the EPA; and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards, according to a Pennsylvania Pressroom press release.
“Historic investments in clean water infrastructure like the ones made today continue to underscore our commitment to safe and reliable infrastructure for our communities,” said Gov. Wolf in a Pennsylvania Pressroom press release. “Clean, lead-free drinking water and reliable wastewater and storm water systems are the bedrock of vibrant civic centers and are essential to ushering in much-needed growth across the Commonwealth.”
The investments entail improvements to drinking and wastewater facilities. With PENNVEST, the funds can be transferred to specifically address lead line replacements, according to the press release.
Some of the wastewater projects include:
- Allegheny County: Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority received a $23,970,000 loan to line or repair approximately 22 miles of sewer collection line in the Homewood, Squirrel Hill, Marshall-Shadeland, Spring Garden, Highland Park, and Maytide areas. The project will aid in the elimination of sewage overflows and reduce infiltration into the collection lines.
- Blair County: Freedom Township Water and Sewer Authority received a $1,535,538 loan to replace approximately 5,860 feet of existing main line piping, manholes and laterals, as well as construct a new tap and observation stack. The project will substantially reduce infiltration and improve service for 730 residential customers.
- Lackawanna County: Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority received a $2,326,900 loan to eliminate a combined sewer overflow point and construct 6,500 feet of gravity interceptor sewer in Vandling Borough, Lackawanna County and Clinton Township, Wayne County. The project will reduce pollution in a high-quality, cold-water fishery and eliminate exposure to untreated sewage by improved conveyance and re-direction of all flows.
Some projects are funded by Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and others are funded with Clean Water State Revolving Funds.
