Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces $76 Million Investment To Protect Waterways, Public Health

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July 17, 2007 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said communities will continue to be revitalized and water resources will become cleaner with the nearly $76 million investment made today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, or PENNVEST.

“Clean water and economic opportunity are both critical to the future prosperity of Pennsylvania and its citizens,” Governor Rendell said. “Today’s actions by the PENNVEST board address these twin goals and help fulfill the commitment of my administration to a healthy and prosperous future for us and for our children.”

Most of the money approved today, $72.1 million, is in the form of low-interest loans. Combined with $3.7 million in grants, PENNVEST will fund 10 clean water projects in 9 counties.

The awards approved by PENNVEST range from a $3.2 million loan to upgrade a sewage collection system and help create new jobs in Schuylkill County to an $11 million loan and grant combination that will eliminate the contamination of a local stream by wildcat sewers in two Westmoreland County communities.

Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and the receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for reimbursement.

For more information about PENNVEST, visit www.pennvest.state.pa.us.

A list of project summaries, by county, follows.

DRINKING WATER PROJECTS:

Armstrong County
• Redbank Valley Municipal Authority received a $7.7 million loan and a $1.1 million grant to construct a new water filtration plant and storage tank to replace an old and outdated plant and raw water reservoir.

Juniata County
• Mifflintown Municipal Authority received a $7.1 million loan to construct a new water filtration plant and pumping station and install new water transmission mains to serve customers in five surrounding communities, as well as a business park and major local employer.

Northampton County
• Easton Suburban Water Authority received a $10 million loan to rehabilitate and expand the authority’s water treatment plant to eliminate frequent plant shutdowns and resulting loss of service to customers in 9 communities.

CLEAN WATER PROJECTS:

Cambria County
• Portage Area Sewer Authority received a $9.8 million loan to expand its wastewater treatment plant and eliminate discharges of untreated sewage into Little Conemaugh Creek during heavy rain. The project will also help the authority comply with anticipated water quality regulations by installing facilities to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous discharges from the plant.

Clearfield County
• Clearfield Borough received a $5.5 million loan to replace almost five miles of sewage collection lines in order to eliminate the discharge of untreated sewage into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River when heavy rain overloads the combined sewer system currently in place.

Northampton County
• Portland Borough received an $8.1 million loan and a $728,211 grant to install an entire wastewater collection and treatment system to serve the borough, where almost half of the household septic systems have been shown to be malfunctioning.

Schuylkill County
• Porter-Tower Joint Municipal Authority received a $3.2 million loan to eliminate excessive inflow of water into the collection system by sealing existing sewer lines and manholes. This system upgrade is critical for a proposed vacant warehouse renovation project that will lead to the creation of 40 new jobs in a new assisted living facility.

Susquehanna County
• Bridgewater Township Municipal Authority received a $5 million loan to install almost 19 miles of sewer collection lines that will serve local residents whose septic systems are malfunctioning and contaminating local drinking water wells. The project will also serve a local community hospital.

Washington County
• Hanover Township Sewer Authority received a $6.2 million loan and a $295,521 grant to install nearly 14 miles of sewage collection lines and other facilities to eliminate discharges from wildcat sewers that are contaminating both Harmon and Kings creeks. In addition, local businesses will be able to expand their operations and create new jobs as a result of this project.

Westmoreland County
• Rostraver Township Sewer Authority received a $9.4 million loan and a $1.6 million grant to install more than 20 miles of sewer collection lines to serve residents of two villages whose wildcat sewers are discharging untreated waste into Speers Run.

Source: Pennsylvania Governor