More Than $27 Million in State Funds Approved for Sewer & Water Upgrades

HARRISBURG, April 20, 2009 – State Sen. J. Barry Stout and Rep. Jesse White announced two state loans and a grant today that will improve the economy of Washington County and the health of its residents.

“People deserve a safe and reliable public water system,” Stout (D-Washington) said. “These funds not only achieve this but will allow businesses to build and expand, therefore bringing critical jobs to the area.”

According to Stout, a $3.7 million loan and an $11.7 million grant has been awarded to Independence-Cross Creek Joint Sewer Authority for construction of a 236,000 gallon per day sewage treatment plant and 90,000 linear feet of gravity sewers. This project will fix malfunctioning septic systems in the Village of Avella and areas surrounding Independence and Cross Creek Townships.

Stout said the second loan of almost $12.3 million has been awarded to the Pennsylvania American Water Company for construction of approximately 150,000 linear feet of waterline and a 350,000 gallon water storage tank. This project would help eliminate total coliform, a bacterium found in 54 percent of the private wells in Mt. Pleasant Township.

“This again illustrates my commitment to working in Harrisburg to bring about infrastructure improvements in the district at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers,” White (D-Washington) said, “and partnering with local municipalities, authorities and other involved parties to bring that about.”

The funds were approved today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) board. PENNVEST is an independent agency managed by a 13-member Board of Directors and funded by nearly $2 billion from state appropriations, state bond sales, and federal grants. While helping hundreds of local governments take on clean water projects, PENNVEST funding has also generated thousands of construction jobs and helped maintain thousands more.

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