Adam RollinsThe Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) will use $24.7 million from the state’s H2O PA Program to support three separate projects that will improve the capacity, efficiency and resiliency of the city’s water infrastructure. The Commonwealth Financing Authority administered the grants, which were sourced from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The bulk of grants – $15 million – will go to the Northeast Effluent Pump Station Infrastructure Project. The station will increase Philadelphia’s Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant’s capacity to 650 million gallons per day. Once completed, the station will reduce sewer overflow and improve climate resiliency. The project has an estimated cost of $101 million. Construction will begin in 2026.
Northeast Pump Station project is a part of the city’s Green City, Clean Waters initiative to prevent combined sewer system overflow. The initiative is a 25-year plan to meet state and federal regulations by using green infrastructure to reduce the volume of stormwater entering the sewer system. The plan also seeks to expand stormwater treatment capacity to better handle stormwater and diluted sewage flow.
The state awarded $5.5 million to the Queen Lane Raw Water Pump Station Power Resilience Project to build standby generators and electrical switchgear. PWD will build them above the 500-year floodplain elevation level. This will increase flood resiliency by mitigating the risk of losing service should the station lose power. The project has an estimated cost of $11 million, with construction beginning in late 2024.
The Queen Lane project supports the city’s Water Revitalization Plan. Projects included in the plan will improve the city’s infrastructure, including pipes, treatment plants, facilities and processes to deliver safe water to neighborhoods. The plan has a 25-year schedule, currently in the feasibility and planning stages. Construction for key projects is expected to begin in 2025.
PWD received $4.1 million for the 21st Street Storm Sewer Improvement project to reconstruct a half-mile length of sewer. The project will reduce surface and basement flooding along overlying residential blocks. The project will cost $8.6 million. Construction will begin mid-2025.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. can provide information on contract opportunities, plus existing and future government funding. For more information, contact research@spartnerships.com.
