WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey has secured $78 million for significant upgrades to Pennsylvania’s drinking water and water infrastructure system. Announced today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), an assortment of projects valued at $72 million will bring safer, cleaner water to communities all over the Commonwealth, ensuring their right to pure water as enshrined in the state constitution.
The funds, facilitated by Casey, will replace contaminated and hazardous pipes, streamline wastewater collection, and treatment, thereby bolstering the state’s environment and the health of its citizens. The funding for these projects aligns with the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, either fully or partially funding each project.
“Distributing clean, safe water to homes and businesses across Pennsylvania is a constitutional obligation,” Senator Casey stated, adding, “With the valuable support of the infrastructure law, we’re able to help protect communities from water contamination, and ensure the continued availability of safe drinking water.”
This round of funding includes more than $61 million for drinking water projects, such as the replacement of lead service lines across Pennsylvania, and an additional $16 million for wastewater projects. In April 2023, Senator Casey announced a further $266 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This amount was allocated for the removal of contaminants like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Pennsylvania’s water supply and for the improvement of water infrastructure through the replacement of lead pipes.
Another amount of $240 million was announced in September 2022 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It aims to repair aging pipes, improve wastewater collection and treatment, and build resiliency against extreme weather events.
Notable recipients of this funding include the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in Allegheny, granted over $32 million for lead pipe removal, and the Ford City Borough in Armstrong, provided with approximately $14.3 million for the same purpose. The Shinglehouse Borough in Potter secured nearly $15.5 million for updates to their wastewater treatment plant.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.