Stout & Daylin Announce Grants for Washington County Sewer Plans

HARRISBURG, April 8, 2009 –State Sen. J. Barry Stout and Rep. Peter Daley announced today that two state grants will help Washington County with sewage projects.

“The costs of repairing aging infrastructure can be overwhelming, especially to smaller communities,” Stout (D-Washington) said.  “These grants and state programs like this are essential for keeping local taxes stable and improving public health and safety. 

Stout said Hydrocarbon Well Service Inc. in Fallowfield Township will receive a grant of more than $109,000 to be used for cleaning out and plugging two abandoned gas wells, preparing and restoring well sites and mobilizing and demobilizing plugging equipment.

According to Stout a grant of more than $9,000 is awarded to Donora Borough for reimbursement of half of the costs of preparing the official sewage plan and revisions to official plans as required under Act 537.         

“Providing strong and adequate sewage management is critical to the health and welfare of Donora residents," Daley (D-Washington) said.  "Reimbursement for a large portion of the costs associated with developing a quality sewage program will help the borough and many municipalities like Donora to afford systems that are beneficial to their citizens."

Act 537, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, was enacted to correct existing sewage disposal problems and prevent future problems.  To meet these objectives, the Act requires proper planning of all types of sewage facilities.  The grants are administered through the state Department of Environmental Protection.

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