Brady PieperThe Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) is unveiling $216.3 million in funding for drinking water and water processing infrastructure projects across the state. The funding will support 21 counties’ efforts in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and nonpoint source pollution initiatives.
The funded water projects will address critical needs such as replacing aging lead service lines, rehabilitating outdated water treatment systems and enhancing wastewater and stormwater management capabilities. Additionally, the initiatives look to reduce environmental contaminants and promote compliance with current regulatory standards.
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PENNVEST will utilize funds from several programs to finance projects in this round, including state funds approved by voters, Growing Greener funds, Marcellus Legacy funds, federal grant awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST awards.
PENNVEST will invest over $110 million in 15 drinking water projects across ten Pennsylvania counties.
The largest drinking water loan or grant delivered in this round will go to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. The project will secure a $62.6 million loan for the installation of approximately 52,880 feet of new small diameter water mains to replace aging lines. The project will reduce break risks and improve water service for Allegheny County and nearby residents.
Another drinking water project, led by the Saegertown Borough, will construct a granular activated carbon treatment system to remove potential contaminants from drinking water. To house this endeavor, the project will develop a new filter building with pressure vessels containing the granular activated carbon.
Additionally, the project will replace asbestos-ridden cement water lines and bring the existing system up to standard compliance.
13 projects will further wastewater initiatives in the state. They will be awarded grants or loans depending on the projects’ nature.
The highest-funded wastewater project will be led by the Municipal Authority of the City of Burrell in Westmoreland County. The project, securing a $9.55 million loan from PENNVEST, will develop upgrades to the Chartiers pump station as part of a long-term control plan, including a new equalization tank and the decommissioning of multiple pump stations to mitigate combined sewer overflows.
Another project in Westmoreland County, led by the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority, will receive a $7.6 million loan. The project will replace variable frequency drives, media, pumps and motor shafts, actuators, piping, doors, windows, louvers and sidewalks in and around the community’s sewage treatment plant. Officials anticipate the project will address structural deficiencies, decrease permit violations and improve utility costs and safety concerns.
Three projects in Jefferson and Northampton Counties will be awarded grants that support stormwater and stormwater management initiatives.
Jefferson County will host two stormwater projects, Corsica Borough and Sykesville Borough, set to receive $450,000 and $3.66 million in grants, respectively. Corsica Borough will rehabilitate approximately 3,200 feet of stormwater drainage piping and inlet rehabs and replacements across the community. This project will also include all necessary surface restoration, traffic control and erosion and sediment controls, including sink holes caused by failing storm pipes.
Sykesville Borough will replace deteriorated storm sewer infrastructure and improve unsafe conditions caused by street flooding, property damage and outlet channel backups during rain events.
There are two nonpoint source pollution projects included in this funding announcement, securing $2.66 million in grants combined.
The Butler County Conservation District will receive a $1.1 million grant to enhance nutrient management and stormwater controls at the Four Seasons Dairy Farm in Penn Township, which will reduce annual runoff by an estimated 1,714 pounds of nitrogen, 514 pounds of phosphorus and 108,000 pounds of sediment.
The second non-point source project, led by the Centre County Conservation District, will secure a $1.54 million grant to upgrade the Hall Farm beef facility in Union Township. The project would reduce runoff by approximately 3,637 pounds of nitrogen, 136 pounds of phosphorus and 21,497 pounds of sediment.
A comprehensive list of all drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and non-point source projects awarded funding under this announcement is available in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s press release.
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