For Immediate Release
July 23, 2009
Contact: Todd Nyquist
(717) 787-7084
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Scarnati Announces $12.5 Million for Water, Sewage System Improvements            

Harrisburg – State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) today announced the approval of $12.5 million in grants for water and sewer system improvement projects in Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson and McKean counties.  

The funds are made available through Act 63 of 2008 -- H2O PA -- legislation co-sponsored by Senator Scarnati to fund water and sewer projects, as well as storm water projects, flood control projects, and high-hazard dam repairs. H20 PA is funded through an $800 million bond financed by five percent of gaming revenue deposited in the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.  

"Proper sewage treatment and access to drinking water are fundamental necessities for healthy communities, but it can be very expensive, especially for small, rural communities trying to meet the various state requirements," said Scarnati. "This is why we enacted the H2O PA program, to help communities like those across the 25th Senatorial District. I am pleased that these worthy projects were awarded funding."  

The Commonwealth Financing Authority received 728 applications totaling $2.6 billion in funding requests, and the board approved $500 million in projects. Among the projects included were the following from the 25th District: 

CLEARFIELD COUNTY -- $3.5 million to assist Clearfield Borough with its Sanitary and Storm Sewer Replacement Project, which includes replacement of existing piping with new storm sewer piping and a new storm sewer system to alleviate flooding problems. 

CLEARFIELD COUNTY-- $1.3 million for the West Sandy Water System Extension Project in Sandy Township.  The water system extension consists of a 250,000 gallon storage tank, a pump station, and approximately 44,500 feet of water distribution pipelines. 

CLEARFIELD COUNTY-- $496,400 for the Orange Alley/Parkway Drive Sanitary Sewer in the City of DuBois.  The project is addressing a 2002 DEP Consent Order and will consist of the installation of 4,353 feet of 36-inch sewer pipe. 

ELK COUNTY -- $62,712 for the Brockway Area Sewage Authority to replace leaking collection chambers and make lateral pipe upgrades; upgrade controls, alarm system, field monitoring and sensing equipment in wastewater treatment system; and install screening drive on pumping equipment in Horton Township. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY -- $1.2 million for Winslow Township to install a wastewater collection system in the Village of Soldier, with treatment at the Borough of Sykesville’s existing wastewater treatment facility.  The project will extend sewer service to an area of the township experiencing a 48 percent malfunctioning on-lot rate. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY -- $1.19 million for Winslow Township to replace polluted wells and springs with potable water, and construct a storage tank, pump station and 24,000 feet of distribution lines in the Village of Soldier. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY -- $783,000 for the Brookville Municipal Authority to perform the necessary activities to construct a new membrane water treatment facility to provide the necessary filtration and treatment of the authority’s North Fork Red Bank Creek source.  In order for the authority to comply with the current and future drinking water regulations, construction of this new facility and decommissioning of their existing 100-year-old water treatment plant is inevitable.  The facility provides potable water to the 5,450 customers within the service area encompassing Brookville Borough, and Corsica, Rose and Union townships. 

MCKEAN COUNTY -- $1.5 million to assist Norwich Township in constructing a wastewater collection and treatment system.  This project will eliminate over 200 malfunctioning on-lot systems.   

MCKEAN COUNTY -- $1 million for the Bradford Wastewater Improvement Project in Foster Township. The plan involves the expansion of the current treatment plant to remain in line with current DEP discharge limits. 

MCKEAN COUNTY -- $760,000 to assist with the construction of a wastewater collection system in Eldred Township.  The project consists of constructing 29,000 linear feet of pressure sewer lines, 88 grinder pumps, and one booster station. 

MCKEAN COUNTY -- $500,000 to assist Port Allegany Borough with the Sanitary Sewer line Improvements Project to reduce and eliminate inflow and infiltration and reduce wet weather discharge of raw sewage into the Allegheny River.  The project consists of replacing 5,000 linear feet of aging clay pipe sanitary sewer lines with PVC pipes, 16 manholes and associated customer connections. 

H20 PA funding is awarded based on a competitive scoring system with priority given to projects subject to a court order, agency order, or consent decree necessitating improved environmental protections. Priority is also given to projects involving consolidation and other regional projects. 

To be eligible for funding, a project must be owned by a municipality or authority, and must include local matching funds. The Commonwealth Financing Authority will evaluate applications, with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority providing technical review and assistance.