Pennsylvania infrastructure investment authority approves $79m for water projects in US

The US state of Pennsylvania has approved a total of $79m in loans and grants for drinking and wastewater projects in 16 counties through its infrastructure investment authority (PENNVEST).

Of the total amount, $69m will be low-interest loans and the remaining $10m will be awarded as grants to improve water infrastructure, reduce water outages, upgrade treatment facilities and build new wastewater treatment plants, amongst other services and initiatives.

Under the PENNVEST non-point source projects, Allegheny County has received a loan and grant to install stormwater control measures, and improve its sanitary and sewer facilities.

Blair County received a loan to construct facilities to prevent runoff of nutrients into Chesapeake Bay’s tributary Clover Creek and to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility, and Bucks County got loan and grant to reduce stormwater overflow into the rivers.

Chester County will use the loans and grants received from PENNVEST to build stormwater management facilities and waste handling plants, and to construct facilities to reduce nutrient and sediment overflow into rivers.

Delaware County and Lancaster County received funding to construct and upgrade facilities that prevent runoff of nutrients and stormwater.

A part of the PENNVEST loan will be used by Adams County to upgrade the existing water treatment and distribution systems to meet the regulatory standards of drinkable water and also upgrade the wastewater treatment plant.

Cambria County will use its part of loans and grants to install over three miles of drinking water distribution lines, while the counties of Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill will use the grant to replace five miles of water distribution lines and improve water supply.

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Image: PENNVEST has approved funds to improve water services in 16 counties of the US state of Pennsylvania. Photo: JJ Harrison.