Governor Corbett Announces $84 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects in 9 Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the investment of $84 million in 11 drinking water and wastewater projects in 9 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). 

"Today the PENNVEST Board of Directors approved projects that represent another  large investment in Pennsylvania's water infrastructure and economic climate," Corbett said. "Each of the communities helped by this financial assistance will enjoy a cleaner environment and a more promising economic future as a result of the efforts of the PENNVEST Board."

Of the $84 million total awards, $75 million is for low-interest loans and $9 million is offered as grants.

The awards range from a $150,000 grant to help improve public safety by relocating drinking water distribution lines along a major highway in Armstrong County, to a $26 million loan to make a number of important upgrades to a wastewater treatment plant in Dauphin County.

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 Drinking Water Projects:

Armstrong County
Kittanning-Plumcreek Water Authority received a $150,000 grant to improve public safety along Route 422 by relocating about 1,900 feet of water distribution line along the side of the road, in conjunction with safety upgrades being undertaken by PennDOT.   Water supply reliability will also be improved by the construction of an interconnection vault with the Manner Township Joint Municipal Authority.

Blair County
Duncansville Municipal Authority received a $2,500,000 loan to construct a new drinking water storage tank and more than a mile of new water main in order to eliminate pressure and service problems caused by corrosion of the existing distribution lines and storage tank.

Indiana County
Indiana County Municipal Services Authority received:

• a $1,031,145 loan and a $1,508,855 grant to construct almost five miles of water distribution lines, construct a new water storage tank and make improvements to one of the authority's treatment plants in order to serve customers of two non-viable water systems that are both out of compliance with Department of Environmental Protection Consent Orders and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
• a $2,230,054 loan and a $2,169,946 grant to construct more than five miles of water distribution lines and two new water storage tanks in order to provide improved service to a local water system that suffers from inadequate supply and also to serve the Windy Ridge Commerce Park where over the next three years a mix of 16 businesses will either locate or expand operations to create 1,400 new jobs.

PENNVEST Wastewater Projects:

Cambria County
Johnstown Redevelopment Authority received a $2,480,500 loan to replace about a mile of interceptor sewer in the Roxbury area of the city where wet weather overflows from the existing interceptor contaminate Cheney Run, a tributary of Stonycreek River.

Clarion County
Pennsylvania American Water Company received a $19 million loan to eliminate overflows of waste that occur during wet weather events by upgrading and expanding its newly acquired wastewater treatment plant, constructing eight miles of new interceptors and collection lines, installing two new water surge holding tanks and making renovations to the Liberty Lift Station.

Clearfield County
Clearfield Municipal Authority received a $16,128,455 loan and a $3,871,545 grant to undertake a variety of improvements to its wastewater treatment plant in order to eliminate wet weather discharges of inadequately treated sewage into publically accessible areas and downstream drinking water sources, as well as bring the plant into compliance with Chesapeake Bay nutrient discharge requirements.

Dauphin County

• Harrisburg Authority received a $26,000,000 loan to make a variety of improvements to its wastewater treatment plant in order to bring it into compliance with permitted discharge limits, a Consent Order and Agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.
• Harrisburg City received a $900,000 loan to install both sewer and water lines, fire hydrants, manholes; reconnect sewer and water laterals and make other repairs to facilities damaged when two large sinkholes were created by leaking sewer mains and laterals in the city's combined sanitary-storm sewer system.

Huntingdon County
Cromwell Township received a $1,118,277 loan and a $298,390 grant to construct more than five miles of sewer collection lines and force mains in order to provide service to households whose malfunctioning on-lot septic systems are contaminating local drinking water wells.

Westmoreland County
East Vandergrift Borough received a $3,681,737 loan and a $901,263 grant to construct more than two miles of new sanitary sewers as well as convert existing storm sewers to sanitary sewers in order eliminate the existing combined system's wet weather discharge of untreated sewage into the Kiskiminetas River.

SOURCE PENNVEST