Stout, Reps Announce $8 Million in Water Treatment Funding

HARRISBURG, March 24, 2010 - - State Sen. J. Barry Stout and state Reps. Bill DeWeese and Peter Daley today announced more than $8 million in state grants and low-interest loans for local water treatment improvement projects.

The grants and loans were approved by the board of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

“I am very pleased that the state has dedicated the required funding to our local municipalities that are updating and improving their water treatment plants,” Stout said. “Clean drinking water and safe disposal of wastewater are of utmost importance to a quality environment.”

“I join Sen. Stout in applauding this PENNVEST award of $6.1 million to the East Dunkard Water Association, which will use the state assistance to update an antiquated water supply system,” DeWeese added. “In human terms, this project will help ensure a safe and reliable water supply for 1,600 customers – many of them low income. Without state help, a project like this would not happen.”

The East Dunkard Water Association was awarded a $2.2 million grant and a $3.9 million low-interest loan to upgrade their existing water treatment plant. The state funding will allow the construction of three new water storage tanks and the replacement of approximately 40,000 linear feet of waterlines.

The Borough of Donora was awarded a $2.1 million low-interest loan to fund the construction of 27,400 linear feet of sanitary sewers that will serve 185 existing homes in the 9th Street through 13th Street areas of the borough.

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