Shapiro Administration Invests $190.3 Million Across 19 Counties Through PENNVEST to Ensure Pennsylvanians Have Safe, Clean Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure

The funding will support 24 drinking water, wastewater, and non-point source projects across the Commonwealth to strengthen water systems and improve water quality for Pennsylvania communities.

Since Governor Shapiro took office, his Administration has invested more than $4.9 billion through PENNVEST to protect public health by delivering clean drinking water, replacing more than 45,000 lead service lines, and modernizing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced a $190.3 million investment for 24 drinking water, wastewater, and non-point source projects across 19 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Since Governor Josh Shapiro took office, his Administration has invested more than $4.9 billion through PENNVEST to protect public health by delivering clean drinking water, replacing more than 45,000 lead service lines, and modernizing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across the Commonwealth. This funding has supported communities in 63 counties, helping address aging infrastructure, improve water quality, and ensure reliable water systems for generations of Pennsylvanians.

“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean water, and my Administration is committed to protecting that right by investing in the infrastructure our communities need,” said Governor Shapiro. “We’re helping communities modernize aging water and wastewater systems, replace lead service lines, and address emerging contaminants to protect public health and ensure our residents have access to clean, safe drinking water for generations to come.”

“PENNVEST’s low-cost financing continues to be one of the most effective tools Pennsylvania municipalities have for tackling the rising costs of water infrastructure,” said Robert Boos, Executive Director of PENNVEST. “By reducing the financial burden on local governments, PENNVEST empowers communities to replace aging systems, protect public health, and invest in long-term resilience — strengthening the economic and environmental foundation that our towns and cities rely on every day.”

PENNVEST funding for water improvement projects originates from a combination of state funds approved by voters, Growing Greener funds, Marcellus Legacy funds, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), federal grant awards to PENNVEST from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.

Project summaries are below:

Drinking Water Projects

Bucks County

• ***Buckingham Township – received a $3,120,000 grant for a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment project at the Cold Spring booster station where water from wells 1 and 2 is treated. Work will include the construction of an anion exchange resin filter treatment system for the removal of PFOS/PFOA. Modifications include process piping alterations in the existing water booster station building, additional treatment influent and effluent yard piping, a new adjoining PFAS treatment control building to house the PFAS treatment vessels, piping, valves and controls, and a process horizontal split case booster pump. The project will address levels of PFOA and PFOS at the drinking water entry point that currently exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Level by removing a known contaminant from the finished drinking water. Removing these harmful chemicals will greatly improve the quality of the drinking water.
• ***Plumstead Township – received a $3,891,000 grant for a water-line extension project to connect and consolidate the Summer Hill/Summer Meadow and Patriots Ridge/Carriage Hill systems. Work includes the installation of approximately 5,400 feet of 12-inch ductile iron water main with fittings, approximately 336 feet of high-density polyethylene pipe installed using horizontal directional drilling, twenty-two 12-inch gate valves and valve boxes, and 10 fire hydrants. This project will provide more consistent system pressure, reduce occurrences of low-pressure conditions, improve overall operational performance and fire protection, as well as resolve the measurable PFAS contamination that has been identified in some of the wells. The project will also resolve operational and resiliency challenges associated with maintaining two separate public water systems.

Chester County

• ***Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $2,546,000 grant for a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment project at the Culbertson Run well station. The project will include construction of a new treatment building for removal of PFAS with one ion exchange vessel train, with two vessels in a lead-lag configuration, and pre-filtration to treat Culbertson Run well and Cross Keys well at a combined flow rate of 75 gallons per minute. A new raw water pipeline will be extended approximately 3,050 feet along Little Washington Lyndell Road to connect the Cross Keys well to the Culbertson Run PFAS treatment facility. The existing treatment facilities at the Culbertson Well Station will be used for combined well treatment and distribution, including corrosion control, pH adjustment, and disinfection. The project will address levels of PFOA and PFOS at the drinking water entry point that currently exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Level by removing a known contaminant from the finished drinking water. Removing these harmful chemicals will greatly improve the quality of the drinking water.

Crawford County

• *Borough of Linesville – received a $3,565,200 grant for a waterline replacement project along Penn Street and Mercer Street. The project will replace approximately 7,000 feet of six-, eight-, and 12-inch waterline. Approximately 90 service connections, 14 fire hydrants, new valves, fittings, and appurtenances, surface restoration, and 15 new connections to the existing distribution system will also be included in the work. This project will decrease operation and maintenance costs, increase system reliability and available fire-flow capacity, and will also remove an existing 4-inch waterline that may contain lead components.

Erie County

• ***Erie City Water Authority – received a $10,000,000 grant for a galvanized service line replacement project. Within the scope of this project, approximately 1,250 service connections consisting of galvanized pipe formerly attached to, and located downstream of, water mains containing lead goosenecks and other lead components will be replaced. The Authority has previously removed lead components from the public side of the service line, over the prior decades, in advance of street paving projects or routine leak repairs.  This project will support the replacement of the remaining portion of downstream private-side service lines. The work encompasses associated excavation, backfill, and restoration. Potential health risks regarding lead, a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health, even at low exposure levels and especially to children, will be eliminated.

Franklin County

• *Bear Valley, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Joint Authority – received a $22,250,000 loan to upgrade their water distribution system. Project construction will include a membrane filtration skid, a neutralization system, a finished water pump, and two 1,100 gallon-per-minute pumps, along with general station upgrades associated with the increase of pumping capacity. Replacement of about 43,000 feet of water main distribution piping with larger-diameter piping of up to 16 inches will also take place. This work will increase the permitted capacity of the plant, decrease water leakage, and diminish the need for the Authority to purchase water from a neighboring borough.

Indiana County

• ***Blairsville Municipal Authority – received a $2,501,213 grant and a $93,787 loan to replace approximately 122 service connections consisting of galvanized pipe formerly attached to, and located downstream of, water mains containing lead goosenecks and other lead components in the Borough of Blairsville and in Burrell Township. The work encompasses associated excavation, backfill, and restoration. Potential health risks regarding lead, a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health, even at low exposure levels and especially to children, will be eliminated.

Lackawanna County

• ***Lakeland School District – received a $352,000 grant to install a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment system in the school building’s basement. Work will include the installation of a 25 gallon-per-minute treatment system consisting of one granular-activated carbon treatment vessel to remove total organic carbon, two ion exchange vessels for PFAS removal, and associated appurtenances including potable water piping, a 5-micron cartridge filter, valves, sample taps, pressure gauges, and a flow meter. This is an existing system serving the approximately 1,000 students and faculty at the Lakeland Junior and Senior High Schools. The project will address levels of PFOA and PFOS at the drinking water entry point that currently exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Level by removing a known contaminant from the finished drinking water.

Lancaster County

• *Elizabethtown Area Water Authority – received a $6,249,000 loan for improvements to wells 6 & 7. Construction will include installation of a nitrate removal treatment system, a corrosion control chemical feed system, a sodium hypochlorite disinfection system, and approximately 2,200 feet of force main. The existing well pump 6 and existing backwash pumping equipment will be replaced. An additional 172 feet of chlorine contact tank piping will be installed, along with an emergency generator and a 35-foot by 45-foot well station building. These improvements will allow the Authority to maintain corrosion control at the well station, as well as address capacity issues and ensure on-site emergency standby power sources.

Mercer County

• *Borough of Sharpsville – received a $3,798,000 loan to upgrade their water distribution system. The project entails the rehabilitation of two structurally deficient water tanks and the replacement of approximately 5,500 feet of aging, leaking water lines along Oak, 4th, 5th, Cedar, 9th, 12th, and 13th Streets. Fire hydrants and other appurtenances will also be replaced within these areas to ensure existing water service lines will be reconnected at the property lines.  These upgrades will increase the system’s reliability, allow the Borough to continue to meet current statutory and regulatory requirements, and reduce water loss.

Montgomery County

• ***Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $1,720,000 grant for a Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment project at the Turnbury Well 11 station. Work will include the installation of one train (two vessels in lead-lag formation) of granular-activated carbon filter vessels for the removal of PFAS. The treatment vessel train will be installed on an exterior concrete foundation with heat-traced and insulated piping located separately and adjacent to the existing well facility with a small enclosure (“hot box”) between the vessels for protection of the associated valve tree. The well pump will also be upgraded to handle the additional head loss with installation of the PFAS treatment vessels. This project will address levels of PFOA and PFOS at the drinking water entry point that currently exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Level by removing a known contaminant from the finished drinking water.
• ***Pennsylvania-American Water Company – received a $3,020,943 grant and a $1,629,057 loan for a lead and lead-impacted galvanized service line replacement project in Norristown Borough. The complete water service line replacement project includes excavation of an approximate 5-by 5-foot pit at the existing water main and an approximate 5-by 5-foot pit at the curb box. From those pits, the contractor will disconnect the existing lead line and pull a new service line through the same trench line, between the two pits and between the last pit at the curb box and the home. Project components include ¾-inch type k copper service line replacement piping installed via trenched access pits and trenchless installations, restoration, traffic control, and erosion and sediment management. The removal of lead lines from the distribution system will increase the reliability of service, improve aesthetics and water quality, and eliminate potential health risks associated with lead in the drinking water.

Somerset County

• *Conemaugh Township Municipal Authority – received a $14,597,215 grant and a $4,669,785 loan to make improvements to their aged drinking water system. Project work will include the installation of approximately 44,000 feet of water main line, 5 district metering vaults, a new pressure-reducing vault along Keafer Hill Road, and the addition of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) /telemetry system for 20 facilities within the distribution system. The existing pressure-reducing vault located along Route 403 in Holsopple will also be replaced. This project will result in reduced water loss throughout the distribution system and increased reliability of drinking water as aging, antiquated equipment is replaced with energy-efficient options.

Westmoreland County

• ***Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County – received a $5,396,637 grant and a $4,603,363 loan for a lead water line replacement project. Approximately 1,000 residential lead service lines will be replaced throughout Avonmore Borough, Oklahoma Borough, Bell Township, Unity Township, Hempfield Township, Loyalhanna Township, and Salem Township. The removal of lead from the distribution system will increase the reliability of service, improve aesthetics and water quality, and eliminate potential health risks associated with lead in drinking water components.

Wastewater Projects

Allegheny County

• **Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority – received a $13,600,000 loan to replace approximately 600 catch basins, in both the combined sewer system and MS4 system, based on a prioritization approach. The replacement of these basins will mitigate the risk of sinkholes, prevent damage to other utilities, and lessen the impact to surrounding surface improvements.  Additionally, the replacement of existing open throat basins with standard type 13 grate structures will limit the debris, including solids and floatables, conveyed to the sewer.

Cambria County

• **West Branch Sewer Authority – received a $3,552,640 grant and a $982,360 loan for upgrades to their sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system. The project includes the installation of approximately 1,600 six-inch lateral observation stacks, associated connections, pipe, and restoration. Approximately 365 feet of sanitary sewer main on Maple Avenue in Northern Cambria Borough will also be replaced, along with existing lateral connections, manholes, and appurtenances. These upgrades will ensure proper flow throughout the system, reestablish hydraulic capacity of the sanitary sewer main, and allow for the monitoring of wet weather inflow and infiltration.

Clearfield County

• **BCI Municipal Authority – received a $1,800,000 grant for upgrades to the Blain City, Coalport, and Lyleville pump stations. The project will include the installation at each station of two submersible pumps designed to pump raw sewage and sewage sludge, complete with motors, a lift out guide rail system for pump removal, liquid level controls, a pump control panel, and all necessary wiring and appurtenances. These upgrades will extend the life of the stations, eliminate the potential for equipment failure, and ensure efficient treatment of the wastewater.

Lackawanna County

• Pennsylvania-American Water Company – received a $38,000,000 loan to construct combined sewer overflow stormwater storage facilities as part of its acquisition of the Scranton Sewer Authority. Construction will include a 0.4-million-gallon storage facility at Combined Sewer Overflow Point 15 Gordon Avenue and a 2.0-million-gallon facility at Combined Sewer Overflow Points 13/14. Components to be installed at each of the new storage facilities include precast post-tensioned tanks, diversion structures and grit chambers, valve and meter chambers, and associated piping and manholes. The stormwater storage facilities constructed during this project will contribute to a reduction in the number of combined sewer overflows annually.
• **Spring Brook Township Sewer Authority – received a $305,465 grant and a $1,747,535 loan for an ammonia removal project at the wastewater treatment plant. The project involves the construction of a NitrOx system with the capability to remove ammonia from the plant discharge to the outflow of Lagoon 2, particularly in cold weather conditions. Piping will also be recirculated to direct portions of the flow and remaining effluent will be directed to the existing ultraviolet disinfection system prior to the outfall. This project will improve the water quality being discharged to Green Run, a high-quality, cold-water fishery, and the wastewater treatment plant will be in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Monroe County

• **Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater, Inc. – received an $11,000,000 loan to upgrade the Pinecrest wastewater treatment plant. Project work will include the construction of several new buildings for influent screening and equipment, upgrades to the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, installation of new electrical and heating and cooling systems, the addition of a new post-aeration/treated effluent storage tank, and repairs to the outfall structure. The upgrades will increase the life expectancy of the plant, which will improve operations and maintenance and provide redundancy for the treatment process.

Somerset County

• **Municipal Authority of the Borough of Somerset – received a $13,000,000 grant for improvements to the sewer system. The project scope includes the rehabilitation or replacement of approximately 22,000 feet of sanitary sewer line, 132 sanitary sewer manholes, 10,000 feet of sanitary sewer lateral line, and installation or replacement of 484 sewer viewports. Also included is the relocation of sanitary sewer system connections to the new stormwater infrastructure. This project is the fourth installment of projects with similar scopes of work and goals, and this phase will include post-construction installation of flow monitoring equipment that was not included in the previous projects. These improvements will reduce infiltration and inflow that create downstream sewer overflows.

Union County

• **Borough of Mifflinburg – received an $8,083,000 loan for a sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. Approximately 13,500 feet of sanitary sewer mains and approximately 40 sanitary manholes will be replaced throughout the Borough of Mifflinburg. These upgrades will eliminate the risk of untreated sewage discharges, extend the life of the system, and allow the Borough to continue to meet current statutory and regulatory requirements.

Non-Point Source Projects

Columbia County

• **Luzerne Conservation District – received a $2,028,000 grant for the installation of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) at two farm sites that are part of the Long Hollow Cattle Company beef operation. The project consists of the installation of two roofed heavy-use areas, one 32-foot-by-72-foot area and the other 70-foot-by-284-foot area, fencing, roof runoff controls, access roads, animal walkways, watering facilities, underground outlets, and stormwater controls. The project is expected to reduce nitrogen by 848 pounds, phosphorus by 36 pounds, and sediment by 2,510 pounds. It also includes a nutrient management plan covering 1,200 acres, along with implementation of a soil and water conservation plan.

Huntingdon County

• **Huntingdon County Conservation District – received a $2,200,000 grant to install Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) at the Way-Lynn Farm. The project will include construction of a 52-foot-by-144-foot roofed heavy-use area, a 40-foot by 200-foot roofed heavy-use area, a concrete liquid waste storage facility, underground manure storage, and waste transfer line, along with the decommissioning of the existing earthen manure storage. It is estimated that this project will reduce 1,562 pounds of nitrogen, 41 pounds of phosphorus, and 9,810 pounds of sediment, and includes a nutrient management plan along with soil and water conservation plan implementation.

*Denotes projects that are funded by Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF).
**Denotes projects that are funded by Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF).
***Denotes projects that are funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

For projects noted above as funded with DWSRF, CWSRF, and IIJA federal funds, the use of the word ‘grant’ within this release may be defined as a principal forgiveness loan, which is the functional equivalent of a grant in that it does not require repayment. For those same projects with loan terms extending beyond 20 years, the use of the word ‘loan’ equates to a bond purchase.

# # #

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.