Local Water Projects Receive $2.8 Million in Funding

Brady's Bend Twp. MSA and Rural Valley Boro get PENNVEST grants, loans

Two Armstrong County water line projects will share $2.8 million in state funding, according to state Senator Don White and state Representative Donna Oberlander.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) approved $2,219,175 in funding for the Brady's Bend Township Water and Sewer Authority and $660,000 in funding for Rural Valley Borough, according to Senator White, a member of the PENNVEST Board.

Brady's Bend WSA was awarded a $1,575,388 million low-interest loan and a $643,787 grant to install 18,000 feet of 8-inch water lines, 4,400 feet of 6-inch water lines, 700 feet of 2-inch water lines and new fire hydrants.

"The Department of Environmental Protection has determined that more than half of the wells around Seybertown Road have coliform and e-coli contamination," Representative Oberlander said. "This project will provide those local residents with a safe and reliable water supply."

"The project will benefit the Water and Sewer Authority's 136 existing customers and an anticipated 287 new customers once it is completed," Senator White said. "That's a substantial project for that area and I am pleased that the PENNVEST funding will help make it a reality."

Rural Valley received a $432,698 low-interest loan and a $227,302 grant to replace 4,625 feet of old asbestos-cement water line and install seven fire hydrants, assorted valves and fittings and other system upgrades.

"It certainly wasn't very hard for me to convince the PENNVEST board that this was a worthy project," said Senator White. "The fact that the existing distribution system in Rural Valley has experienced 13 major water line breaks in the past six years made it quite clear that this work needs to take place as quickly as possible. This system only serves about 400 customers and I know that Rural Valley is not a high-income area. It's a real challenge for them to deal with a $660,000 project, so it's essential that the state do as much as possible to ease the burden that costs of this work will have on ratepayers."

"I know Rural Valley has been working very diligently to maintain this water system to the very best of their ability with very limited funds," Representative Oberlander said. "This funding will make it possible for them to do what they need to have done with the least amount of burden to the residents of the area."

CONTACT:

Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151