Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced a $199 million investment through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) for 13 projects, which tackle drinking water, stormwater, wastewater and nonpoint-source projects.

Funding comes from voter-approved state funds as well as through loan payments recycled from past PENNVEST funds, Growing Greener, Environmental Protection Agency grants and Marcellus Legacy funds, Wolf's office said in a release.

"Ensuring the reliability of our most precious infrastructure is vital to the road to recovery for many of our communities," Wolf said in the release. "As we prepare for much-needed increases in federal and state resources for clean water infrastructure over the next several years, these projects will pave the way for successful growth and revitalization."

For drinking water projects, the Kittanning Suburban Joint Water Authority in Armstrong County got a loan of over $3.4 million for a new 300,000-gallon water tank and new mixers for all their water tanks, Wolf's office said. The city of Lock Haven in Clinton County received a loan of $5 million to improve the 58-year-old Warren Ohl dam.

Capital Region Water in Dauphin County received nearly $42 million to replace 6,300 feet of a water main and piping in Harrisburg's Allison Hill district, Wolf's office reported. The Mt. Gretna Campmeeting Association in Lebanon County received approximately $1.4 million to demolish a water storage tank and create a replacement tank to increase the reliability of drinking water and water pressure. The Hazleton City Authority in Luzerne County received two loans of $3.3 million and approximately $1.9 million for various improvements. The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Greenville in Mercer County received nearly $9 million to replace 25,600 feet of piping and relocate the Hadley Road booster station. Philadelphia received $125 million to build two 5 million-gallon basins.

There were two counties that received funding for wastewater projects, Wolf's office said. The West Branch Sewer Authority in Cambria County received over $4 million to replace an ultraviolet disinfection system. The Hartleton Borough Municipal Authority in Union County received a $44,224 grant and a nearly $1.4 million loan to replace a wastewater treatment plant.

There was one stormwater project in the Penn Township of Westmoreland County that revived a loan of over $2.2 million to install 1,700 feet of storm piping, Wolf's office said.

For nonpoint-source projects, Luzerne County's conservation district received a grant of $630,000 to create a manure storage tank and its transfer system, Wolf's office said. The Somerset County Conservation District received a grant of $682,638 to build a manure storage structure and stacking area at the Joe Walker farm in Summit Township.

"PENNVEST continues to make valuable and prudent use of the state revolving fund," Wolf said. "As we continue to soar past the landmark of $10 billion invested in clean water projects, it is evident that there is still a need for infrastructure improvement and I'm proud to be part of a successful system that provides efficient support while saving Pennsylvanians money."