$31.4 Million in State Funding to Benefit Armstrong County

PENNVEST awards grants, loans for seven water, sewer projects

Armstrong County will benefit from $31,408,970 in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) for seven water and sewer projects, according to Senator Don White (R-41). The financing was approved at a PENNVEST meeting today (April 20).

"This is a red letter day for Armstrong County as it will receive a significant amount of financing for these projects," said Senator White, a member of the PENNVEST board. "This funding will support a substantial amount of construction work and jobs in the short-term and improve the quality of life of Armstrong County residents and its efforts to promote economic development in the long run."

The largest award went to East Franklin Township, which received a $9,396,646 grant and a $1,084,569 low-interest loan to construct three sewage treatment plants, four pump stations and 33,800 feet of sewer lines to service approximately 195 existing homes in the villages of Adrian, Tarrtown and Cowansville.

"This project will develop a brand new sewer system to service these communities," said Senator White. "Currently, there are environmental issues involved as untreated sewage from the existing wildcat sewers is spilling into Glade Run, which is a popular waterway for fishing. This project will clean up that problem and allow for future development in and around those villages."

The Buffalo Township Municipal Authority received a $7,200,000 low-interest loan to construct a new water treatment plant servicing parts of Armstrong and Butler counties and to install 18,000 feet of water lines.

"Buffalo Township's existing water plant in Freeport is 90 years old and needs major repairs and upgrades," said Senator Jane Orie (R-40). "This plant is already under scrutiny by the Department of Environmental Protection and should be replaced as soon as possible. This loan will help ensure that the area receives clean and reliable water service."

"This is good news for the 2,400 customers in Freeport and neighboring communities serviced by the authority," said state Representative Brian Ellis (R-11). "The existing plant is meeting their current needs but it is important to replace it now before serious problems do arise."

Apollo Borough will receive a $7,016,230 grant for the installation of 39,000 feet of sanitary sewers, along with converting the existing combined sewers into sanitary sewers.

"I am pleased that PENNVEST provided this sizeable grant to assist Apollo Borough in addressing the problems posed by its existing sewer system," said Senator James Ferlo (D-38). "This project will support economic development on Apollo's riverfront industrial park while eliminating five combined sewer overflows that discharge untreated wastewater into the Kiskiminetas River."

The Kittanning Borough Municipal Authority will receive $6.9 million in financing from PENNVEST to complete its on-going sewer separation project. The $5,525,000 grant and $1,375,000 low-interest loan will be used to install 12,000 feet of new sanitary sewers, convert existing sewers to storm sewers and install 2,000 feet of storm sewers.

"I am very pleased that PENNVEST is continuing to support Kittanning's efforts to upgrade its sewage system," said state Representative Jeffrey Pyle (R-60). "This is just the latest in a series of financing packages that the agency has provided to the borough for the separator project and to upgrade its treatment plant. These projects are necessary and costly. They definitely could have placed a tremendous burden on ratepayers without this PENNVEST financing."

The Redbank Valley Municipal Authority, servicing parts of Armstrong and Clarion counties, received a $2,799,550 grant to replace a surface water intake along Redbank Creek. The project consists of a 6-foot wide by 50-foot long water intake channel with inlet screens built into Redbank Creek, Dentil-type fishway, 1,260 cubic yards of concrete to be placed on the downstream side of the existing intake, and demolition of an existing mill race wall.

"This project will replace the deteriorating and unsafe existing intake that serves as the only source for the water system," said Senator Mary Jo White (R-21). "The new intake will improve the Authority's ability to operate a safe and reliable system. The new fishway is intended to facilitate the upstream movement of resident fish species, which along with other designed features should improve the habitats for fish and aquatic life."

The Hawthorne Redbank Redbank Municipal Authority (note: double Redbank intended), servicing parts of Armstrong and Clarion counties, received a $1,388,846 grant and a $1,069,359 low-interest loan to construct a 200,000 gallon water storage tank and a transmission main, interconnection and pump station with Redbank Valley Municipal Authority, and construction of 15,000 feet of 8-inch waterline in the Village of Oakridge, Redbank Township, Armstrong County.

"This is definitely a major project that addresses three existing problems," said state Representative Donna Oberlander (R-63). "The storage tank will allow for the remediation of contamination. The interconnection with Redbank Valley increases capacity and the expansion will provide reliable service to 120 homes in Oakridge that have poor water quality and quantity. Many of those homes rely on shallow wells and have experienced water shortages for a week or longer."

The Ford City Borough Sewage Disposal Authority received a $1,570,000 low-interest loan to install 5,700 feet of sanitary sewers along with converting the existing combined sewers into storm sewers.

"This project will take care of an existing environmental problem since Ford City's existing combined system overflows during wet weather into the Allegheny River," said Representative Pyle. "By separating the sanitary sewer lines from the storm sewers, this project will curb the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Allegheny River."

Contact:

Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151