Shapiro Administration: $257.5 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure Projects Coming to 13 Counties Across the Commonwealth

Updated

The funding will support 18 drinking water, wastewater, and non-point source projects across the Commonwealth which will increase water quality for Pennsylvania's citizens.

  
Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced the investment of $257.5 million for 18 drinking water, wastewater, and non-point source projects across 13 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The projects include replacing lead or other corrosive pipes, rehabilitating aging systems, upgrading service capabilities, extending service to more communities, and reducing environmental contaminants through compliance with current regulatory levels and agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP's). 

During today's meeting, the Board approved a $1 billion budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. Within this budget, an additional $46 million in grants are being made available over last year's levels for lead line removal, emerging contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and for applicants where hardship conditions are identified.

“The Shapiro Administration strives to safeguard every Pennsylvanian's right to the basic necessity of clean water. Ensuring the reliability of our water infrastructure is critical for the health of our communities. Now is the time to address clean water infrastructure," said PENNVEST Chairman Dr. Brian Regli. “Through the support of federal funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, this is a once in a generational opportunity to access funding for projects throughout Pennsylvania."

“Pennsylvania's state constitution affords the right to safe, pure water for every community in our Commonwealth, but for too long Pennsylvania communities lacked the funding to guarantee that right.  Thanks to the infrastructure law we're making investments to stop water contamination and ensure that homes and businesses have clean, safe drinking water," said Senator Casey.  ​

Established in 1988, PENNVEST was anticipated to fund $2 billion in clean water infrastructure projects over a 20-year period. PENNVEST has surpassed its 36^th year and has invested over $12.2 billion dollars in clean water infrastructure in Pennsylvanian communities. In fiscal year 2018-2019, the PENNVEST Board awarded $376.3 million in total funding awards for water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects. In fiscal year 2022-2023, the PENNVEST Board awarded $956.4 million in total funding awards, representing more than a 250 percent increase in program funding over the last four years.

The success of the program originates from the revolving nature of the fund. Projects are financed at below market rates. As principal and interest is repaid, the funding is utilized to fund additional projects. Over time, the fund grows providing capacity to fund clean water infrastructure needs within Pennsylvania.

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

A list of project summaries follows:
 
Drinking Water Projects
 
Allegheny County

• ***Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority – received a $15,154,200 grant to replace an estimated 550 public and 500 private lead service lines in the high-priority neighborhoods of California-Kirkbride, West Oakland, Spring Garden, East Liberty, Hazelwood, and Crawford-Roberts. The project will involve the determination of the service line material via an excavation verification and replacement of lead found on both the public and private sides. This project is an extension of lead service line replacement efforts that began in 2017 to eliminate lead exposure to the community and will also conserve water since customers will no longer need to flush service lines at the beginning of each day.

Bucks County

• North Penn Water Authority – received a $5,700,000 loan to install a West Rockhill water transmission main which will allow for a direct connection of the Sellersville water system to the North Penn Water Authority network. Work will include the installation of 12,543 lineal feet of 12-inch ductile iron water transmission main through an existing roadway and rights-of-way, connecting the systems via gate valves. The project will benefit residents in Sellersville by providing safe drinking water and adequate supply and pressure to meet fire protection needs.
  
  
• ***Doylestown Township Municipal Authority – received a $4,415,435 grant to construct a 45-foot x 25-foot PFAS treatment facility to address PFAS contamination in Central Wells #5 and #7. This facility will be located on the existing parcel where Central Well #5 is located. The project will also include the installation of 2,600 feet of 6-inch raw water pipeline to connect the contaminated Central Well #7 to the new facility. The facility will house carbon filtration units, as well as iron and manganese treatment units, to remove the PFAS contaminants from the groundwater. The project will bring the Authority's PFAS and manganese levels into regulatory limits significantly reducing health risks typically associated with PFAS and manganese contamination in drinking water.

Chester County

• *Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.  – received a $77,500,000 loan through the Programmatic Financing Program for several capital improvement projects, anticipated to take place from 2024-2027, to replace water mains dating from the late1800's and early 1900's. Improvements include 21 water main replacement projects with construction of approximately 133,400 lineal feet of 8- to 20-inch watermain, new valves, hydrants, service lines, and pressure regulating vaults. These projects will construct new water mains to replace existing mains that are at the end of their useful life, and have a history of leaks, insufficient capacity, water quality issues, lack of redundancy, and/or are in poor condition.

• *Johnsonburg Municipal Authority – received a $5,586,470 grant to extend water service to 42 new customers, including the Johnsonburg Elementary School. The school's current system is dependent on groundwater and has experienced repeated violations due to poor water quality. The project will include the replacement of approximately 2,200 feet of existing waterline, the installation of 9,300 feet of 12-inch waterline extension to Johnsonburg Elementary School, and 460 feet of 6-inch waterline along Route 219 and Launer Drive. Also included is the replacement of 52 water service connections within the existing service area and the addition of 46 new ¾-inch, 6 new 2-inch, and 1 new 4-inch water service connections. The project will address risks to public health by discontinuing the use of the existing water system, with elevated iron, manganese, and lead levels, that currently supplies the school. Other benefits of the project include replacement of aging infrastructure that is prone to leaks, increasing flow capacity, and the elimination of asbestos cement waterlines.

• Elizabethtown Area Water Authority – received a $20,000,000 loan through the Programmatic Financing Program for a 5-phase project to address aging water distribution infrastructure servicing residents of Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township, and West Donegal Township. Phases 1-4 will focus on the replacement of existing cast iron water mains with new ductile iron water mains, while phase 5 will focus on the reconnection of water services. In total, the project will include the installation of approximately 33,805 linear feet of water main pipe, 1,318 service replacements, and the reconnection of 112 water services. Customers will experience the benefits of increased water quality and decreased disruptions due to water main breaks.

• ***City of Philadelphia – received a $4,817,625 grant and a $5,157,375 loan to remove and replace 950 lead and galvanized steel drinking water service lines with new copper service lines primarily in Kensington, but also reaching Feltonville, Nicetown, Hunting Park, Tioga, St. Hugh, Logan, West Kensington, and East Kensington. This project not only addresses the inefficiencies related to aged infrastructure, such as leaking and service disruption, but also will protect these underserved communities from the health risks associated with long-term exposure to lead.

• Pennsylvania American Water Company – received a $10,400,000 loan for their Avella Road Waterline Extension project to extend water service to several Washington County communities and the Avella Area School District, which currently relies on potable water for all its water needs, including fire protection. The proposed project will extend approximately 35,000 linear feet of 8-inch waterline via open cut method and all the required appurtenances along Avella Road in Cross Creek, Independence, and Mount Pleasant Townships. The waterline extension will serve approximately 35 new water system customers within the project area. Project components include approximately 34,750 LF of 8-inch ductile iron pipe, 250 LF 8-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, 20 fire hydrants, 25 air release valve assemblies, and 35 water service connections, including new water meters. The project will include the necessary surface restoration, as well as traffic, erosion, and sediment controls. The project will provide safe drinking water to the school and community and increase water pressure which will greatly enhance the Avella Fire Department's capabilities in fire protection.
  
  
• Pennsylvania American Water Company – received a $5,100,000 loan for their Old Steubenville Pike and Campbell Road Waterline Extension project to extend water service to Robinson and Smith Townships, who currently rely on private well water. The proposed project will extend approximately 15,250 linear feet of 4-inch through 8-inch diameter ductile iron waterline via open-cut and 450 LF of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waterline pipe via horizontal directional drill (HDD) methods and all the required appurtenances along Old Steubenville Pike and Campbell Road. The waterline extension will serve approximately 23 new water system customers within the project area. Project components include approximately 5,000 LF of 8-inch ductile iron pipe, 6,550 LF of 6-inch ductile iron pipe, 3,700 LF of 4-inch ductile iron pipe, 450 LF of 6-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, 3 fire hydrants, 10 air release valve assemblies, and 23 water service connections, including new water meters. The project will include the necessary surface restoration, as well as traffic, erosion, and sediment controls. Benefits for the communities impacted by the project include improved water quality and water pressure.

 

Wastewater Projects


Allegheny County

• Findlay Township Municipal Authority – received a $4,949,600 loan to construct a new building on the site of the Potato Garden Wastewater Treatment Plant to support operations as the system and service area has grown. The new building will house offices, records storage, three double-deep garage bays, a larger staff locker room, mechanical room, and laboratory. The existing administration building will also be renovated to expand the conference room by repurposing the existing laboratory and locker room, include a tech room to secure and manage the Authority's servers and SCADA system, and relocate janitorial storage space. Due to growth and development of the plant, the project will accommodate the additional staff hired since the last plant upgrade and centralize the operation staff.

• **Frankstown Township – received a $5,850,000 loan to make improvements to the existing wastewater system within the Rolling Hills and Oldtown Village area. The project will include the rehabilitation of approximately 24,690 LF of existing ABS truss sanitary sewer main by Cured-in-Place (CIP) lining or will involve a total replacement with new 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch PVC sanitary sewer pipe, manholes, and all associated appurtenances. The new sanitary sewer line will be installed in the same proximity as the existing sanitary sewer line. The replacement of the older ABS truss pipe will correct issues they have experienced with infiltration and breakage. Increased safety of the operators will be addressed in this project by installing larger manholes; the current manholes are too narrow for a human to safely enter.

• ***Township of Cranberry – received a $35,960,000 loan to improve and replace aging equipment related to the solids processing side of the Brush Creek Water Pollution Control Facility. Included in the project plan is the construction of two new anaerobic digesters, a digester control building, a post-digestion sludge storage tank, a solids processing building; installation of two new centrifuges, two new biogas boilers and biogas flare, odor control biofilter; and demolition of the existing ATAD (Autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion), belt filter presses, and the rehabilitation of the auxiliary influent pump station. In addition to replacing aging equipment, this project will provide treatment for the expanded solids loadings from the recent plant hydraulic expansion project, new development within the service area, and improve operation efficiency.

• Martins Community, LLC – received a $2,850,000 loan to replace the existing aging wastewater treatment plant with a new treatment plant adjacent to the existing facility. The new treatment facility will provide influent flow equalization; combined carbon oxidation, nitrification, denitrification, chemical feed for phosphorus precipitation, and tertiary filtration followed by ultraviolet disinfection. The existing wastewater treatment plant will be decommissioned as part of the project. The project will allow for additional capacity to facilitate operation and to provide for possible future expansion.

• Ephrata Borough Authority – received a $942,324 loan to remove and replace the existing sanitary sewer facilities located within Landis Road that are experiencing significant inflow and infiltration caused by unsuitable subgrade material. The project will include the removal of 1,135 LF of 8-inch diameter sanitary sewer pipe, 345 LF of 4-inch diameter sanitary sewer lateral pipe, and the installation of new 8-inch SDR-35 PVC gravity sanitary sewer pipe, new 6-inch SDR-35 PVC pipe, and the replacement of 5 existing manholes with new 5-foot diameter precast concrete manholes. One existing manhole hole will be rehabilitated to include flow channel modification and cementitious lining. All unsuitable subgrade will be removed and replaced with suitable bearing materials. The project includes 1,035 LF of permanent Borough paving and driveway restoration. The removal and replacement of the existing failing facilities will result in operational efficiencies resulting in cost savings for the Borough. 

• ***Shinglehouse Borough – received a $15,379,141 grant and a $112,859 loan for phase 2 of a project to update aged equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. In the project plan, the existing primary clarifier, final clarifier, and trickling filter will all be demolished. Construction in the project plan includes, a new headworks building to house the screening equipment installed in phase 1, rerouting of the two (2) dry-pit submersible pumps, also installed in phase 1, to convey the raw wastewater to the proposed grit removal system within the new headworks building, installation of a new grit removal system, chemical addition, a two-channel oxidation ditch process with a pre-anaerobic reactor tank for biological treatment, clarifier influent trough, and 2 final clarifiers. The project will also include the rehabilitation of the existing chlorine contact tank by rebuilding the concrete along scour lines and lining the tank and baffle walls with a structural epoxy coating system. Replacement of the effluent pumps and controls within the existing effluent pump station will also take place in this project. The project will allow for efficient wastewater treatment and continue to be capable of meeting effluent limitations.

• ***Winber Area Authority – received a $8,500,000 grant and a $6,076,600 loan to upgrade the Ingleside Sewage Treatment Plant. The scope of the project includes the construction of a new Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) System, including, two reactor basins, a biofilter basin with scrubber, an equipment building with pumps, blowers, a drum thickener, and all associated piping, appurtenances, and site work necessary to integrate the new facilities with the existing plant. Also included are the replacement of two (2) sludge pumps, the decanter actuator and limit switches at four (4) SBR basins, the effluent water pumping system, fine bubble air diffuser membranes within the four (4) SBR basins and at two (2) sludge aerobic digester tanks, replacement of the belt filter press polymer feed system, and upgrades to the SBR plant main control panel. Benefits of the project include a significant reduction in total solids within the sludge processed which will reclassify the Authority's sludge to Class A, allowing for the Authority to eliminate sludge disposal costs. In addition to reducing the volume of biosolids, the new ATAD system will significantly reduce the number of biological contaminants and pathogens in the treated sludge.

• **General Authority of the City of Franklin – received a $16,715,542 grant and a $5,284,458 loan to upgrade the infrastructure of the sewer collection system. Phase 1 of the project will rehabilitate and replace a total of approximately 55,000 feet of the existing sanitary sewer collection system. Of the total, open cut replacement will be used for approximately 34,000 LF and fold and form PVC trenchless rehabilitation is planned for the remaining 31,000. Rehabilitation and replacement actions are expected for PVC gravity sewer, concrete manholes, laterals, and appurtenances. Where possible and beneficial, the new sanitary sewer will be installed parallel to the existing sewer allowing the existing sewer to be converted to a storm sewer upon project completion. Bringing the Authority into regulatory compliance, the project will eliminate untreated sewage discharge, address hydraulic overload, and wet weather discharges that affect French Creek.

• **Luzerne Conservation District – received a $1,108,910 grant to upgrade the Chris Maylath cattle farm's nutrient management operations and stormwater controls, in Sugarloaf Township. The proposed Best Management Practices (BMPs) include a roofed heavy use area and adjacent manure storage. The heavy use area will consist of a reinforced concrete pad 76 feet wide and 180 feet long. An additional 60-foot by 60-foot area will serve as the manure storage with 5-foot reinforced concrete walls, providing for 18,238 cubic feet of manure storage for a period of 180 days. The roof will cover 72 feet with a 12-foot overhang on the north side. The length of the roofed portion will be 240 feet long, extending over the manure storage. The manure storage area will also include the overhang to serve as a staging area for when the storage is unloaded. Further BMPs include two diversions, rolled stone heavy access areas, roof gutters, underground outlets, access roads, fencing, and animal walkways. The project will result in an anticipated reduction of 2,688 pounds per year in nitrogen, 1,075 pounds per year in phosphorus, and 3,938 pounds per year in sediment that impact a tributary to Nescopeck Creek and outlets into the Susquehanna River.
  
     
  
  
  *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 is 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.

MEDIA CONTACTS:  

PENNVEST: Felicia Campbell, fecampbell@pa.gov

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