Northeastern Pennsylvania -
Governor Josh Shapiro announced the investment of $175.7 million for 25 drinking water and wastewater projects across 16 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The projects include replacing lead pipes, rehabilitating aging water pumps, and reducing costs resulting from water loss. The Shapiro Administration is committed to ensuring every community in the Commonwealth has access to clean drinking water, safeguarding public health and advancing environmental justice.
“Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and pure water,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “With these critical investments, we can rebuild our water infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and guarantee that constitutional right holds for all Pennsylvania, regardless of their zip code. My Administration will continue to lead the way protect public health and the environment across the Commonwealth.”
The funding for these projects originates from a combination of state funds approved by voters, Growing Greener, Marcellus Legacy funds, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, federal grants to PENNVEST from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.
These updates will Pennsylvania support communities as they address backlogged water system needs and help ensure high-quality drinking water for Pennsylvanians.
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act brings significant opportunity to Pennsylvania’s water and sewer systems, facilitating its modernization and ensuring sustainable infrastructure,” said PENNVEST Chairman Dr. Brian Regli. “Investments in water infrastructure improvement projects across our counties enables the Commonwealth to thrive, both environmentally and economically.”
A list of NEPA project summaries follows:
Drinking Water Projects:
Schuylkill County
Schuylkill County Municipal Authority
Received a $5,987,000 loan to construct a second 2,300,000-gallon, pressed-concrete water tank in New Castle Township at the existing Broad Mountain tank site. The new tank will provide additional emergency water storage, will offset temporary supply concerns, and will allow for system redundancy.
Luzerne County
Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater, Inc.
Received a $7,800,000 loan to upgrade a wastewater treatment plant in the community of Laurel Lakes in Rice Township. The current system will be enhanced with a third treatment train and pumps to allow redundancy within the plant during maintenance. Other upgrades will take place in the plant’s headworks, aeration tanks, tank covers, service platforms, walkways and railing systems. The project will provide continued reliable wastewater service to the community and allow for continued regulatory compliance.
Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority
Received a $19,000,000 loan to rehabilitate 5,300 feet of an existing sanitary gravity interceptor with the installation of a new structural spiral-wound, polyvinyl chloride steel reinforced lining system. Additionally, 13 manholes along the interceptor will be enhanced with the installation of a multilayer polymeric structural liner. This project will result in the continued functionality of a critical conveyance structure.
