Two municipal authorities in the 35th Senatorial District have been awarded a total of $900,000 in grants through the state PENNVEST Program to make upgrades that will protect local water supplies, according to Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35).
The Patton Municipal Authority received $600,000 for the Magee Avenue Waterline Replacement Project. The project will replace approximately 700 feet of 8-inch cast iron pipe that has leaded joints with new 8-inch polyvinyl chloride main line, as well as approximately 600 feet of service line. Associated valves and restoration will be included in the project.
Langerholc said the 100-year-old system currently has cast iron pipe with lead joints. These lead components represent a health risk to the community. Additionally, due to the age of the line to be replaced, the Authority is correcting leaks and breaks at a much higher rate than elsewhere in the system. The service lines in the area are also aged, and replacement of the service lines will ensure no leaks occur from disturbance of aged infrastructure.
Carrolltown Borough Municipal Authority received $300,000 for the Lead/Brass Meter Replacement Project. The project will involve the replacement of approximately 520 individual service meters with lead-free magnetic meters, in continuation of work the Authority has already undertaken. Additionally, the flow control valves at the treatment plant will be replaced by lead-free valves.
“Making safety upgrades such as this are extremely important to the health and economy of a community, but very expensive to undertake,” Langerholc said. “This PENNVEST funding is crucial to bringing water systems into compliance and protecting water supplies for area residents. It will also ensure that user fees don’t increase dramatically to pay for these improvements.
PENNVEST is not supported by the state’s General Fund budget, which covers the daily operations and services of the Commonwealth. Financing is provided through the use of federal funding and prior bond issues by the state as well as proceeds from Act 13 of 2012, the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee.