More than $1.14 million in grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to communities in the 32nd Senatorial District for sewer and water line replacements, sewage system and plant upgrades and stormwater management Senator Pat Stefano (R-32) and Representative Matt Dowling (R-51) announced today.
“Our sewer, water and stormwater systems are not something we often think about until there’s a problem, and then we can’t help but take note and fine solutions to protect public health and safety.” said Stefano. “These grants will help the communities to which they’ve been awarded maintain quality service.”
“Water and sewage infrastructure updates are some of the greatest needs in many of the communities I serve.” Dowling noted. “Aging water systems cause unplanned outages and cause residents to be fearful of the reliability and safety of their water and sanitation systems. These grant awards will provide significant aid and allow these areas to complete some much needed upgrades.”
The following projects received funding.
The Addison Area Water Authority was awarded $422,790 for a water treatment system upgrade project in Addison Borough and Addison Township, Somerset County. The proposed project will make improvements to the water system, which is currently insufficient and has to run 24 hours a day to sustain the pressure necessary to serve its patrons. The upgrades planned will allow for a more efficient management of the water system. Emergency generators will be installed at their well site, located on Whites Creek Road in Addison Township, and at the chlorination building located on Old Forty Road in Addison Township. They will also demolish and construct a new chlorination building and water storage tank at the Old Forty Road location. The last component of the project will include the installation of a continuous chlorine analyzer, a solenoid diaphragm valve and pressure transmitter at the Reservoir at Reservoir Road in Addison Borough. All components of this project will address the pressure and wasted resources problem currently being experienced by the water authority.
Confluence Borough Municipal Authority was awarded $271,304 to develop a new water supply to serve a water filtration system located in Confluence Borough, Somerset County. The current system is plagued with issues that impact public health and safety. In September 2018 the authority completed a feasibility study which resulted in the development of a 3-phase project to rehabilitate their facilities and groundwater source to provide clean, quality drinking water to residents. The authority is proposing Phase 1 of the project to construct a new water supply source. The project will complete a Well Test Study and construct a new water supply well to serve the proposed water filtration system.
Indian Creek Valley Water Authority was awarded $423,937 to upgrade the Ohiopyle Water Storage Tank at the location in Stewart Township, Fayette County. The authority will remotely monitor the tank levels to ensure that adequate water pressure and water volume is available to the water customers in Ohiopyle Borough. The project also includes improvements to the tank access road and erection of a fence around the storage tank. The project will also install an additional storage tank on the site that will provide a redundant storage facility to allow future cleaning, inspection and renovations to the existing tank to comply with DEP requirements and sound waterworks practices without interrupting service.)
German Township Sewer Authority was awarded $28,696 to update the alarm system at two pump stations located in German Township, Fayette County The project will bring the systems up-to-date with DEP standards. The new system will allow the operators to connect via phone monitor the system, along with keeping track of the amount of flow that enters, exits, and wet well capacities at the pump station.
The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
These grants were awarded as part of DCED’s PA Small Water and Sewer Grant Program to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects.
“I’m grateful to the CFA for recognizing the importance of these projects to our community,” said Stefano.