Governor Corbett Announces $60.1 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects in 12 Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the investment of $60.1 million in 13 non-point source, drinking water and wastewater projects across 12 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). 

"We continue our commitment to a cleaner environment and a brighter economic future through the actions taken today by the PENNVEST Board of Directors," Governor Corbett said. "We are investing millions of dollars in communities all across the commonwealth to see that this vision will be fulfilled."

Of the $60.1 million, $51.3 million is for low-interest loans and $8.8 million is offered as grants.

The awards range from a $327,000 grant to make improvements at a farm in Lancaster County eliminating nutrient runoff into a local stream that feeds the Chesapeake Bay, to a $10.9 million loan that will help the city of Johnstown eliminate wet weather discharges of untreated sewage into the Conemaugh River.

The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, 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 bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST.

For more information, visit www.pennvest.state.pa.us or call 717-783-6798.

Media contact:  Paul Marchetti, 717-783-4496

Editor's Note: A list of project summaries follows:

PENNVEST Non-point Source Projects:

Lancaster County

Benuel Petersheim King received a $327,147 grant to construct a manure storage facility, animal trails, stream crossings and other improvements that will eliminate nutrient runoff into a tributary of the Little Beaver Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River and, eventually, the Chesapeake Bay.

PENNVEST Drinking Water Projects:

Clearfield County

Boggs Township received a $2,645,758 grant to install more than five miles of water distribution lines and other facilities in order to provide improved drinking water and eliminate frequent water outages that have gone as long as three days for some of the system customers.

Dauphin County

Middletown Borough Authority received a $1,275,000 loan to flood-proof three drinking water wells that were inundated during Tropical Storm Lee and make other improvements to the system in order to improve both water quality and water pressure, and also provide service to the proposed train station and new Penn State student housing.

Greene County

Carmichaels Borough Authority received a $610,000 loan to make various improvements at its treatment plant and storage tank in order to eliminate chemical contamination and bring its drinking water into compliance with safe drinking water standards.

Schuylkill County

Schuylkill County Municipal Authority received a $4 million loan to install almost four miles of new water distribution lines and construct a new finished water storage tank in order to provide service to residential customers and industrial lots in a nearby business park that needs water service in order to be ready for development.

PENNVEST Wastewater Projects:

Allegheny County

Munhall Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority received a $5,835,000 loan to rehabilitate more than four miles of wastewater collection lines in order to eliminate excessive inflows of water that contribute to bypasses in the ALCOSAN wastewater collection system that occur during wet weather events.

Cambria County

Johnstown City received a $10.9 million loan to rehabilitate collection sewers in the Oakhurst area of the City in order to eliminate wet weather discharges of untreated sewage into the Conemaugh River.

Forest County

Hickory Township received a $287,500 loan and a $287,500 grant to install collection mains, grinder pumps and a package wastewater treatment plant in order to serve 16 homes in the village of Endeavour that have malfunctioning on-lot septic systems.

Lancaster County

Lancaster City received a $5.5 million loan to increase the capacity of a pump station and make improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant in order to eliminate the discharge of untreated sewage into the Conestoga River that occurs during wet weather.

McKean County

Foster Township received a $4,808,300 million loan to construct 19 miles sewage collection lines, two pump stations and other facilities in order to eliminate 335 malfunctioning on-lot septic systems in various areas of the township.

Northampton County

Bethlehem City received a $10,737,000 loan to make a variety of improvements at its wastewater treatment plant as well as increase its pumping capacity in order to eliminate the bypassing of inadequately treated sewage during wet weather.

Northumberland County

Point Township Sewer Authority received a $3,739,240 loan and a $3,739,240 grant to construct more than 11 miles of new sewage collection lines in order to eliminate malfunctioning on-lot septic systems at 172 homes in various areas of the township.

Westmoreland County

Trafford Borough received a $3,652,358 loan and a $1,847,642 grant to rehabilitate two and a half miles of wastewater collection lines in order to eliminate excessive inflows of water that contribute to bypasses in the ALCOSAN wastewater collection system that occur during wet weather events.

SOURCE PENNVEST