Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) revealed that over $5.2 million in Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) funds were awarded to update water and sewer systems in four Pennsylvania counties.

CDBG funds are used by communities to address their development needs, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The communities do so by providing modest housing and a suitable living environment for residents, improving their quality of life. The funds are also used to expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

“This CDBG funding will help residents receive access to drinkable water, improved services, and help protect public health and safety,” Wolf said in the news release. “Most of us take systems like these for granted, and the better quality of life these residents will have as a result of these improvement projects can’t be overstated.”

In Bedford County, $1,671,450 will be used to replace the wastewater treatment facility, which is more than 30 years old and is no longer useful. The system serves approximately 104 customers.

In Clinton County, $1,019,386 will be used to complete a freshwater infrastructure system that benefits 302 customers. The system was installed in the early 1900s and an entire 1,670-foot waterline section needs to be replaced.

In Juniata County, $1 million will be used to drill and construct new wells and a water storage tank for McAlisterville. The village currently uses a water system that gets much of its potable water from two springs, fed through distribution lines that were laid in the early 1900s. The new tank will hold approximately 150,000 gallons of water; the system has 501 users.

In Northumberland County, $1,518,812 will be used to update the Herndon Borough/Jackson Township water system. Currently, the system has four wells, a collection basin, a reservoir, water treatment facilities, 9,400 lineal feet of cast-iron water main, and approximately 1,400 lineal feet of water distribution piping. The cast iron main was built in the late 1930s and will need to be replaced before road construction in the area begins in 2024. There are 213 users and some reported disruptions due to breaks in the lines; these residents will benefit from the improvements.