Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Announces $41.7 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects in 12 Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the investment of $41.7 million in 13 non-point source, drinking water and wastewater projects across 12 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). 

"The investments that we make today in our environment and economy will improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians in all corners of the Commonwealth," Governor Corbett said. "The PENNVEST Board's actions bring crucial financial resources to bear that will improve water quality and increase economic opportunity for all of us."

Of the $41.7 million, $32.9 million is for low-interest loans and $8.8 million is offered as grants.

The awards range from a $537,000 loan to eliminate wet weather overflows of untreated sewage into a stream in Allegheny County, to a $9.3 million loan and grant combination to renovate a deteriorated wastewater treatment plant in Bradford County that will allow a vacant manufacturing facility to accommodate the expansion of three businesses, leading to the creation of 221 new jobs and the investment of $40 million in the area.

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
Marlin Becker received a $619,208 grant to construct two manure storage facilities, animal trails, storm water controls and other improvements that will eliminate nutrient runoff into Conewago Creek and, eventually, the Chesapeake Bay.

PENNVEST Drinking Water Projects:

Cambria County
Glendale Valley Municipal Authority received a $1,290,000 grant to construct more than a mile of water main and a booster pump station to interconnect with the Reade Township system, allowing the authority to abandon use of an old water plant and improve the quantity and quality of water for its customers.

Pike County
Hemlock Farms Community Association received a $1,200,000 loan to install a new filtration system to eliminate iron and manganese contamination of the association's drinking water supply, which is currently causing issues for the system's customers.

PENNVEST Wastewater Projects:

Allegheny County
Wilkins Township received a $537,000 loan to install approximately a half mile of sanitary sewers to eliminate a combined sewer collection system that is subject to wet weather overflows into Thompson Run, as well as eliminate acid mine drainage into the basements of several homes in the neighborhood.

Armstrong and Clarion Counties
Hawthorn Redbank Redbank Municipal Authority received a $1,905,795 loan and a $1,437,705 grant to install nearly five miles of new gravity sewer lines to eliminate the use of malfunctioning on-lot septic systems in two communities, Redbank Township, Armstrong County and Hawthorn Borough, Clarion County.

Bedford County
West Providence Township Municipal Authority received a $5.5 million loan to replace more than six miles of old, deteriorating sewage collection lines and make other system improvements to eliminate wet weather overflows at the authority's wastewater treatment plant.

Bradford County
Canton Borough Authority received a $5,318,670 loan and a $4,012,330 grant to renovate the authority's old and deteriorated wastewater treatment plant in order to bring its discharges into acceptable quality levels and also allow for the expansion of three businesses that will collectively create 221 new jobs and bring almost $40 million in new investment to the area.

Cambria County
Glendale Valley Municipal Authority received a $695,400 million loan and a $524,600 grant to construct almost two miles of new sanitary sewers to connect with the authority's wastewater treatment plant, thus eliminating the use of a deteriorated plant that is discharging untreated sewage into Kibler Run during wet weather events.

Cambria and Somerset Counties
Upper Yoder Township Authority received a $7,831,615  loan and a $668,385 grant to rehabilitate more than 17 miles sewage collection lines and make other improvements that will eliminate wet weather overflows at the authority's wastewater treatment plant that result in discharges of untreated sewage into Stony Creek.

Forest County
Hickory Township received a $370,500 loan and a $279,500 grant to install new sewage collection lines, pump stations and a package wastewater treatment plant in order to eliminate the use of malfunctioning on-lot septic systems as well as wildcat sewers that are discharging untreated sewage directly into East Hickory Creek.

Lancaster County
Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community received a $883,659 loan to construct a new package treatment plant at this privately owned nursing home where malfunctioning on-lot systems are discharging sewage into an open ditch and other local areas that are adversely affected by the amount of liquid being discharged.

McKean County
Smethport Borough Authority received a $805,000 loan to install screening and other facilities to eliminate debris that collects at the treatment plant headworks, causing wet weather overflows of sewage onto the surrounding property.

Montour County
Danville Municipal Authority received a $7,809,000 loan to replace and improve nearly three miles of sewage collection lines, install a new pump station and make other improvements to eliminate wet weather overflows and sewage backups into the basements of local homes.  The project will also allow for the lifting of a sewer connection moratorium, leading to the creation of 224 new jobs, the retention of almost 10,000 jobs and the investment of $255 million in the local economy.

SOURCE PENNVEST