Governor Wolf Announces $92 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects in 13 Counties
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced the investment of $92 million for 19 drinking water, wastewater, storm water, and non-point source projects across 13 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
“The projects represented in today’s approvals continue our commitment to clean water for Pennsylvania.” said Governor Wolf. “These projects benefit the environment, economic development and public health, as well as advance our shared goal of a clean and safe environment for our families to enjoy, both now and for years to come.”
The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, Growing Greener, Marcellus Legacy funds, federal grants to PENNVEST from the Environmental Protection Agency, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards. Funds for the projects are disbursed after expenses for work have been paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST.
In addition, PENNVEST staff also introduced a policy modification aimed at making the program’s incentives more attractive for water utilities to utilize for lead service line replacement projects.
“The change in how we look at these types of projects, and how they impact those specific areas of concern, should result in funding packages that will best reflect the impact on those customers, and promote implementation of lead line replacements.” said Brion Johnson, PENNVEST Executive Director.
A modification to the affordability analysis associated with drinking water systems with lead line replacement projects seeks to promote these projects in the neighborhoods that can least afford the cost to replace the necessary piping.
Eligible projects are with utilities that have adequately mapped areas of concern with needed lead service line replacement work due to exceeding the safe levels in the drinking water provided to the customers. Staff will base the funding upon neighborhoods, or clusters of customers rather than the entire system user base to determine the financial package.
List of approved project summaries:
Drinking Water Projects
Carbon County
• Greater Hazelton Community Area New Development Organization (CANDO) received a $500,000 loan to rehabilitate the interior and exterior of the finished water storage tank serving the industrial park.
Clearfield County
• Houtzdale Municipal Authority received a $22,222,400 loan to replace 185,000 feet of waterline, replace 1,200 service lines and meter pits to address water loss and ensure reliability of the system. *
Mercer County
• Stoneboro Borough received a $2,624,279 loan, and a $2,965,721 grant to install a new storage reservoir and replace 19,500 feet of waterline, new fire hydrants, and 142 service connections to address issues with deteriorated storage tank and unreliable distribution lines. *
Schuylkill County
• Pine Grove Borough received a $5,479,764 loan to replace 2,700 feet of waterline, and associated hydrants, construct a new storage tank and corrosion control, chlorine treatment facilities will also be included to address water loss issues, aging distribution and the need for additional storage. *
Warren County
• Pine Grove Township Municipal Authority received a $995,365 loan to replace approximately 7,280 feet of six-inch water distribution piping, new hydrants, and elimination of ‘dead ends’ in the system to address the aging, leaking distribution system with unreliable fire hydrants.
Wastewater Projects
Butler/Mercer County
• Grove City Borough received a $10,980,200 loan to expand the wastewater treatment plant to allow an increase in permitted flows to accommodate expanding needs of the system. **
Cambria County
• Johnstown City received a $3,906,560 loan and a $6,993,440 grant to construct approximately 31,000 feet of sewer line as well as associated manholes and lateral inspection ports to aid in the removal of excess infiltration and reduce Sanitary Sewer Overflows during wet weather affecting the Conemaugh River. **
Clearfield County
• Decatar Township received a $1,893,000 loan to construct 12,300 feet of gravity sewers, a pump station and 4,800 feet of force main to address failing on-lot systems in the New Liberty area. Treatment will be at the regional treatment facilities. **
Dauphin County
• Capital Region Water received a loan of $11,136,900 to replace a major pump station that has reached the end of its useful life. **
Mercer County
• Shenango Township Municipal Authority received a $4,889,347 loan, and a $4,432,857 grant to construct 27,510 feet of gravity sewer; 14,399 feet of force main, three sewage pumps and on lot grinder pumps to address failing on lot systems in the Oak Tree Land Company, and other areas of the Township. Sewage will be conveyed to existing treatment facilities. **
Storm Water Management Projects
Clarion County
• Clarion Borough received a $684,078 loan and a $1,224,622 grant to install 22 storm water inlets, 2,835 feet of corrugated metal pipe to connect with the existing conveyance system. The work will address issues with storm water issues, flooding of homes and businesses that also impacts roadside ditches, undercuts of roadways, and flooding predominately found in the Boundary Street intersection. **
• Hawthorn Borough received a $573,839 loan and a $756,611 grant to install approximately 6,430 feet of storm sewers, 60 inlets, and nine manholes. Grass swales will also be installed above most of the storm sewers to promote infiltration. This project will address the existing failing and undersized storm sewer system causing frequent flooding in residential areas. **
Dauphin County
• Lower Swatara Township received a $5,471,515 loan to install replacement 48-inch outfall and install 7,245 feet of new storm sewer and 210 feet of drainage swales to address flooding on private properties due to insufficient storm water controls and undersized outfall. **
Indiana County
• Ernest Borough received a $501,465 loan and a $248,535 grant to install storm water piping, inlet boxes, end walls, rock riprap, and a storm water detention basin to address issues related to storm water causing damage long Store Hill Road where 50 properties sustained damage during flooding events.
Non-point Source Water Quality Improvement Projects
Chester County
• Chester County Conservation District (Esh) received a $349,000 grant to cover costs related to manure storage, gravity flow manure transfer, cattle walkways, reception pit, reconstruction of a cattle crossing, surface inlets, underground outlets, and diversions to reduce run off into Octoraro Creek. **
Clarion County
• Armstrong County Conservation District received a $904,994 grant to implement the third phase of the drainage runoff management and infiltration facilities along the Armstrong Trail. **
Lancaster County
• Chester County Conservation District (King) received a $334,000 grant to cover the costs related to construction of manure storage facilities, heavy use areas, walkways, and storm water controls to reduce the runoff into local streams. **
• Chester County Conservation District – (Beiler) received a $307,000 grant to cover the costs related to construction of a manure storage facility, reception pit, gravel access, surface inlets, underground drains, and runoff controls to reduce runoff into the Octoroaro Creek. **
Northumberland County
• Coal Township received a $1,467,908 grant to implement phase two of a streambank stabilization project. Work includes precast walls, re-grading, and rip-rap rock to reduce sediment loading of Carbon Run.
* denotes projects that have Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
** denotes projects that are funded with Clean Water State Revolving Funds