The funding will support 36 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects across the Commonwealth to strengthen water systems and improve water quality for Pennsylvania communities.
This funding round marks the largest single-round of investments in Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority's (PENNVEST) history.
Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced the investment of $559.4 million for 36 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects across 25 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) – surpassing October’s historic round of investment.
The projects awarded funding will replace lead service lines, rehabilitate aging systems, upgrade treatment and service capabilities, and reduce environmental contaminants to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to clean, safe water.
“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean drinking water — and my Administration is focused on making sure that right is protected all across our Commonwealth,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Historic investments in clean water infrastructure like the ones made today will assist local communities replace lead service lines, upgrade water treatment plants, remove PFAS, and much more to help.”
“In October, we announced the largest single-round award in PENNVEST’s history,” said Robert Boos, Executive Director of PENNVEST. “The fact that we exceeded that milestone today – in dollars invested, number of projects funded, and counties represented in today’s funding - shows the strategic commitment we have to the long-term resilience of our communities. Strengthening water infrastructure is essential to public health, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. This expanded funding ensures we can deliver reliable, sustainable water systems for generations to come.”
PENNVEST funding for water improvement projects originates from a combination of state funds approved by voters, Growing Greener funds, Marcellus Legacy funds, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, federal grant awards to PENNVEST from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.
The list of project summaries is as follows:
Drinking Water Projects
Allegheny County
- ***Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority – received a $15,903,876 grant and a $15,606,464 loan for a lead service line replacement project in the Bloomfield, Shadyside, Highland Park, and Central Lawrenceville neighborhoods of the City of Pittsburgh. The project will replace approximately 1,610 public and private lead service lines. The removal of leaded water service lines will protect public health.
- ***Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority – received a $3,869,961 grant and a $6,130,039 loan for phase 4 of a lead service line replacement project in the boroughs of Wilkinsburg, Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, East McKeesport, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Pitcairn, Rankin, Swissvale, Trafford, Turtle Creek, and Wilmerding, the townships of North Versailles, Penn Hills, and Wilkins, as well as Monroeville and the City of Pittsburgh. Approximately 1,000 residential lead service lines will be replaced with 3/4-inch copper lines, increasing the reliability of service and improving compliance with lead and copper regulations.
- *Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township – received an $8,957,546 loan for an expansion project at the water treatment plant. The treatment plant expansion upgrades include all new installation of raw water pumps, a ballasted flocculation reactor, membrane feed pumps, a membrane filtration skid, high service pumps, a clear well, a backwash tank, and electrical upgrades. The expansion project will allow the plant to meet increased demand due to growth and bulk sales within South Buffalo Township.
Bucks County
- *Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $1,440,000 grant for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment in the Peddler’s View well system. PFAS remediation upgrades include installation of one treatment train with two pressure vessels in a series of granular-activated carbon filters at the well station. The filtration train will have a heated enclosure to house the valve tree and exposed piping, and the valves will be heat-traced and insulated. Pumps will also be replaced at two wells. This project will remove a source of a known emerging contaminant from the public water supply.
- *Buckingham Township – received a $2,435,000 grant for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment at Well F-8. An existing pole barn, in proximity to the control building, will be demolished to serve as the site for a new building to house the proposed PFAS treatment system. The PFAS treatment system will consist of one train of granular-activated carbon filters that will be backwashed into a new holding tank. The holding tank, with a volume of approximately 18,000 to 19,000 gallons, will be constructed adjacent to the new PFAS treatment building. The backwash holding tank will be discharged into the sewer system via the wet well of the Buckingham Village wastewater treatment plant. This project will remove a source of a known emerging contaminant from the public water supply.
- *Upper Southampton Municipal Authority – received a $4,100,000 loan for replacement of the Maple Avenue water main. The project includes replacement of approximately 6,800 feet of existing 8-inch cast iron water main with 8-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe on Maple Avenue from Street Road to Second Street. This project will encompass 12 intersections, 95 water service connections, 5 fire hydrants, and 12 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps. This project will reduce water loss and improve fire protection capabilities.
Cambria County
- ***Highland Sewer and Water Authority (HWSA) – received a $6,025,105 grant and a $2,201,655 loan for improvements to the Croyle Township Water Authority (CTWA) system that it operates. The project, which is the second phase of the overall upgrade project, includes the construction of approximately 45,000 feet of transmission and distribution waterline within the distribution system located in Croyle Township, Jackson Township, and Summerhill Borough. Work includes the installation of water mains, water service lines from the water main to the property line, as well as necessary water appurtenances. The project will also include the installation of new meter pits and residential service meters to modernize metering and allow for better integration into the HSWA system. These upgrades will address water loss.
Chester County
- *Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $913,000 grant for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment at Deer Run well. Treatment upgrades include installation of one train with two vessels in a series of anion exchange resin filters and two 5-micron cartridge filters for pre-filtration, and replacement of the well pump with the addition of a variable frequency drive and upgraded electrical controls. The PFAS filtration train and pre-filtration assembly will be housed within the existing well house. This project will remove a source of a known emerging contaminant from the public water supply.
Clarion County
- ***Redbank Valley Municipal Authority – received a $5,385,458 grant and a $1,960,934 loan for water system improvements. The project consists of the installation of 9,880 feet of 6-inch waterline, 2,700 feet of 8-inch waterline, 1,800 feet of 10-inch waterline, fire hydrants, and appurtenances. Upgrades at the water treatment plant include inclined plate settlers, filter media, and equipment change outs. The project will provide a dependable water system and eliminate water leakage.
Cumberland County
- ***Pennsylvania American Water Company – received a $122,263 grant and a $3,627,737 loan for a lead service line replacement project in New Cumberland Borough. Approximately 384 service lines will be replaced with copper piping using trenchless installation. This project will increase the reliability of service and improve compliance with lead and copper regulations.
Franklin County
- *Mercersburg Water Authority – received a $3,845,572 loan for Phase 2 of improvements to the water system. This project includes abandonment of the existing Buck Run water treatment facility and construction of a new iron/ manganese removal water treatment plant at the Buck Run site. The new system will treat water from the existing Buck Run and Zimm wells using pH adjustment, oxidation, and pressure filtration to remove iron, disinfection, and orthophosphate, and offer additional corrosion control. The new facility will allow the Authority to remove the Buck Run reservoir from service and continue to supply reliable quality and quantity of water to its customers.
Lancaster County
- *City of Lancaster – received a $49,293,000 loan for the construction of a new 7,200-foot, 42-inch raw water transmission main between the Susquehanna River intake and the water treatment facility, and a new 28,200-foot, 42-inch finished water transmission main between the water treatment facility and the Oyster Point Reservoir. The project will increase resiliency in the distribution system.
- Catasauqua Borough – received a $1,021,000 loan for a meter replacement project. All existing water service meters throughout the system will be replaced with smart water metering technology. The meters will be installed by Borough water service personnel. This project will improve the efficiency and reliability of the community water system through streamlined processes.
Montgomery County
- ***Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $2,261,518 grant and a $4,503,482 loan for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment at the Hunt, Oreland, and Flourtown wells. Treatment upgrades include one train with two vessels in a series of anion exchange resin filters for pre-filtration at Hunt Country well and one train of granular-activated carbon filters at Flourtown well and at Oreland well. Well pumps at each station will be replaced. The PFAS filtration trains will have a heated enclosure to house the valve trees and exposed piping, and valves will be heat-traced and insulated. The project will remove PFAS, as well as limit iron and manganese, from the drinking water system.
- *Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $955,000 grant for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment at the Ivy Ridge wells. Treatment upgrades include two trains with two vessels in a series of anion exchange resin filters with 5-micron cartridge filters for pre-filtration, and replacement of the well pump with an additional variable frequency drive and upgraded electrical controls. The PFAS filtration trains and pre-filtration assembly will be housed within the existing well house. This project will remove a source of a known emerging contaminant from the public water supply.
- *Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. – received a $6,830,000 grant for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal and treatment at the Meyers, Cranberry 3 and 4, and Rahns wells. Treatment upgrades include one train with two vessels in a series of anion exchange resin filters for pre-filtration at three well stations. Well pumps at each station will be replaced. The PFAS filtration trains will have a heated enclosure to house the valve trees and exposed piping, and valves will be heat-traced and insulated. This project will remove a source of a known emerging contaminant from the public water supply.
Somerset County
- ***Conemaugh Township Municipal Authority – received an $8,818,330 grant and a $3,762,920 loan for a meter pit installation project. Approximately 2,200 new meter pits, including meters, will be installed in the Conemaugh Township Municipal Authority distribution system. Meter pits will be placed on each customer’s property line and connected to the existing service lines. This project will increase the reliability of service and save water.
Wastewater Projects
Berks County
- Pennsylvania American Water Company – received a $2,433,799 loan for improvements to the Exeter wastewater collection system. The project will include installation of cured-in-place pipelining of approximately 62 sewer segments, totaling 14,297 feet of sewer main. Also included is the rehabilitation of 159 sewer laterals with T-liners from the main to the right-of-way. Open-cut polyvinyl chloride (PVC) replacement in the project area will involve approximately 1,200 feet to be replaced with PVC. Additional actions include root cutting, debris removal, cleaning of identified mains, removal of intruding taps, defective repairs, and pre- and post-lining closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection of each segment. The project will rehabilitate the most deteriorated portions of the collection system to reduce infiltration and inflow and restore reliable operation.
Bucks County
- **Upper Southampton Municipal Authority – received a $1,900,000 loan for improvements to the Mill Creek pump station. The project includes the permanent installation and connection of two diesel-driven pumps, within a designated containment area, which will also function as flood protection for the newly installed equipment. An auxiliary fuel tank will be installed to provide a direct fuel supply to the backup pumps housed within the containment structure. Additionally, the project includes the replacement of the variable frequency drives and control panels for the existing electric pumps located inside the pump station. As well as improving service reliability and environmental protection, the project will provide permanent emergency pumping capability, reduce long-term operational risks, and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Hastings Area Sewer Authority – received a $783,600 loan for upgrades to the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant. While the in-channel UV installation is taking place, a temporary disinfection system and bypassing system will be utilized. Some permanent piping/valve features will be installed to facilitate the bypass work. The new UV disinfection system will prevent a catastrophic failure of the treatment plant and ensure public and environmental safety is maintained.
- ***Windber Area Authority – received a $9,991,000 loan for construction of a solar farm at the Ingleside sewage treatment plant. The project will consist of the installation of a 3.83 megawatt-hour (MWh) solar energy system to account for the current peak monthly usage, plus the projected energy usage for the facility’s Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion (ATAD) project that is currently under construction. Approximately 5,078 fixed tilt solar panels and associated equipment will be installed in an open field within the existing fence in the northwest corner of the Ingleside site. The panel layout has been designed to meet DEP guidelines for stormwater management. Energy usage is one of the largest operational expenses associated with the treatment plant. Construction of a solar energy system will result in a net annual offset of power consumed by the Ingleside plant and realize significant operational cost savings for the Authority.
- ***Osceola Rush Decatur Sewer Authority – received a $7,588,690 grant and a $9,211,310 loan for a sanitary sewer extension project along the Route 350 corridor north of Sandy Ridge and south of Phillipsburg Borough which includes Twigg Settlement, Linnwood Development, Glass City, and several homes along Route 350. Approximately 11 miles of sewer line and 4 pump stations will be installed to serve 245 residential equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) and 3 commercial EDUs. The project will eliminate the existence of untreated or improperly treated sewage in surface or ground waters and support increased economic growth within the region.
Clearfield County
- ***BCI Municipal Authority – received a $12,476,621 grant and a $7,501,595 loan for wastewater treatment plant improvements in Irvona Borough. The project includes the construction of a new activated sludge sewage treatment plant utilizing the Sequencing Batch Reactor process and other related appurtenances, including pumping facilities, ultraviolet disinfection facilities, sludge processing facilities, and upgrades to the existing office/control building. The new facility will feature modern equipment with greater efficiency, and all major motorized equipment will operate on variable frequency drives to modulate the operating speed to the minimum required to achieve the desired level of treatment effectiveness. Additionally, all maintainable components will be installed in masonry buildings rather than within the tankage, to facilitate maintenance and ensure that tanks need not be drained to operate and maintain the treatment works. Three pump stations within the collection and conveyance system will also be upgraded. All improvements within the project will be completed adjacent to the existing plant on the same parcel which is owned by the Authority. The project will create more efficient plant operations.
Dauphin County
- **Capital Region Water – received a $120,000,000 loan under the Programmatic Financing program for 9 projects taking place over 4 phases. Phase 1 of the project focuses on the rehabilitation of the primary clarifier tanks at the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility in Swatara Township. The project includes concrete repairs to the primary clarifier tanks using crack repair, spall repair, joint repair, and coating portions of the concrete surfaces. Related work includes replacement of 8 influent channel gates with actuated gates, plus replacement of scum troughs, effluent weirs, and raw sludge pumps. Completion of the 4 phases will lead to substantial decreases in the total annual combined sewer overflow (CSO) volume and the annual overflow frequencies at permitted CSO outfalls.
Lackawanna County
- ***Dalton Sewer Authority – received a $7,385,680 grant and a $4,324,320 loan for upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. The project will involve construction of a new package treatment plant at the existing treatment plant property, consisting of two parallel trains utilizing extended aeration with coarse bubble diffusers, plant chemical feed systems for copper removal, two parallel tertiary rotating disc filter trains, two parallel ultraviolet disinfection units to replace the existing chlorination/dichlorination system, and a duplex utility water system. A new surge tank and surge tank pump station, and an influent pump station, will also be constructed. The existing blowers will be replaced with two new blowers, and existing treatment units and pump stations that are to be abandoned will be demolished. This project will bring the plant into compliance with its permit requirements, preventing the release of inadequately treated wastewater into local waterways which are tributaries to the Susquehanna River.
Lancaster County
- **City of Lancaster – received a $3,877,540 loan for improvements at the wastewater treatment plant involving south train screens and the chlorination facility. South train screening improvements include the installation of two mechanical screens, each with a capacity of 29 million gallons per day (MGD), and two screening washers/compactors. Improvements to the chlorination facilities consist of installation of an emergency chlorine gas scrubber for the existing chlorination building, which stores and utilizes chlorine gas in 1-ton cylinders. Additional new equipment to be installed includes an emergency generator, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, new gates in the chlorine contact tanks, and instrumentation and control upgrades. This project will provide increased capacity, full redundancy for mechanical screening, improved screenings capture, more efficient operation and maintenance, and reliable protection for the plant and surrounding community in the event of chlorine gas leakage.
Mercer County
- Neshannock Creek Watershed Joint Municipal Authority – received a $721,204 grant and an $878,796 loan for a sewer extension project along State Route 19 South. A new pump station will be constructed to replace an existing sewage treatment plant that currently serves Rachel’s Roadhouse Restaurant and Iron Bridge Inn Restaurant, both owned by The Springfield Group. The existing sewage plant will be decommissioned once the new pump station is constructed. During this project, a 60-inch diameter wet well, 4 submersible grinder pumps, an aerator, and a generator and associated piping and fittings will be installed at the new pump station. At the Interchange pump station, 2 submersible pumps will be replaced. Additionally, approximately 220 feet of 2-inch force main, 2,800 feet of 3-inch force main, 11,050 feet of 4-inch force main, 10 clean-out manholes, and 5 air-relief manholes are to be installed via directional drilling along State Route 19 South. Expansion of The Springfield Group’s restaurants has been delayed in the past due to the lack of adequate sewage disposal facilities in the area. Upon completion of the project, which will provide access to adequate sewage disposal, The Springfield Group anticipates hiring an additional 20-25 people.
Monroe County
- Arrowhead Sewer Company, Inc.– received a $4,500,000 loan to replace the aging sanitary sewer system serving a community around Paxinos Drive and Lehigh Drive. The project will include replacement of gravity sewer lines, 12 manholes, and 40 sanitary sewer laterals in the project area. The existing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sewer lines will be replaced with approximately 2,300 feet of sewer lines. The replacement of pipes at the end of useful life, currently experiencing high infiltration and inflow, will reduce the strain on the wastewater treatment plant and prevent future overflows.
Northumberland County
- **Milton Regional Sewer Authority – received a $16,107,000 loan for the East End sewer regionalization project. Planned project work will consolidate flows from the Potts Grove wastewater treatment plant to the Milton Regional Sewer Authority’s treatment plant. Additionally, 217 homes in Mahoning Manor and 53 homes in Boiardi Lane and Pleasant Valley Village, that currently rely on on-lot sewage disposal systems with high malfunction rates, will be connected to this public sewage system. The East End regionalization project also consists of the abandonment of the Potts Grove wastewater treatment plant and the installation of approximately 16,900 feet of 4-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) force main to connect the existing Potts Grove service area to the Authority’s system. The Mahoning Manor portion includes the installation of approximately 14,500 feet of 8-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sewer, 2,600 feet of 10-inch PVC sewer, and 56 manholes. The Boiardi Lane and Pleasant Valley Village portion includes the installation of approximately 4,200 feet of 8-inch PVC sewer and 17 manholes. In addition, approximately 1,900 feet of 6-inch to 12-inch existing mains will be replaced with 10-inch pipe, along with 8 manhole replacements. The project will improve efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and resolve widespread on-lot failures to ensure reliable and compliant wastewater management in the region.
Perry County
- ***Loysville Village Municipal Authority – received a $6,011,216 grant and a $2,188,784 loan for upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant and associated sewer system. The project will upgrade the Loysville treatment plant from a 110,000 gallons per day (GPD) extended aeration process to a 250,000 GPD ICEAS SBR continuous flow biological treatment system with new influent pumping, fine screening, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, blower and control facilities, and an upgraded electrical system with emergency power. Several existing tanks will be converted for new treatment and solids handling functions, and the operations building will be renovated to include administrative, laboratory, and meeting space. Site improvements include paving, fencing, streambank restoration, and a new outfall to Muddy Run. The project will result in increased treatment capacity, reduced operational and maintenance costs, and system statutory and regulatory compliance.
Philadelphia County
- **City of Philadelphia – received a $149,100,000 loan for a Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant Aeration System upgrade project. Blowers in the Northeast Wastewater Plant will be replaced with new variable frequency drive models, which will allow an automated control system linked with butterfly valves that modulate air flow to the fine bubble diffusers in the aeration tanks. Aeration basin improvements include replacement of all influent slide gates, drainage slide gates, and effluent 78-inch butterfly valves. Additionally, influent and effluent channel coarse bubble diffusers, return-activated sludge valves, and flow meters will be replaced. Concrete repairs will be done to address any structural defects in the aeration basins, influent channels, and effluent channel. Other upgrades include replacement of failing fiberglass covers over the basin openings with stainless steel railings, and installation of a new electrical substation and upgraded distribution equipment. The project will increase the effectiveness of secondary treatment by eliminating leaks which currently allow influent to flow to the effluent channel, improve the safety of operations staff, and ensure reliable power for blowers and aeration basins.
Union County
- **Borough of Mifflinburg – received an $8,074,000 loan for rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer system serving the Borough of Mifflinburg and West Buffalo and Limestone Townships. During the rehabilitation project, approximately 13,500 feet of sanitary sewer mains and roughly 40 sanitary manholes will be replaced around the areas of Locust, High, Church, Green, South 6th, 7th, Cherry, Apple, Albert, and Old Orchard Streets and State Route 3003 (N. 8th Street). The proposed work will significantly reduce inflow and infiltration, lower treatment costs, and extend the overall life of the Borough’s wastewater infrastructure.
Westmoreland County
- ***Municipal Authority of the City of Lower Burrell – received a $15,820,000 loan for upgrades to the Chartiers pump station and replacement of the force main. Upgrades to the Chartiers pump station include replacement of the existing pumps, and installation of a backup generator and a 78-foot diameter, 1-million-gallon aboveground equalization tank with blowers. The existing force main will be replaced with 4,400 feet of 10-inch force main. The Hillcrest, Indiana, and Widmer pump stations will be decommissioned and demolished, and their flows will be redirected to the Chartiers pump station once the pump station’s upgrades are complete. The project will result in reduced wet weather sewage overflows.
Stormwater Projects
Monroe County
- Arrowhead Lake Community Association – received a $3,500,000 loan to replace the stormwater system serving a community consisting of 1,192 households. This project will involve replacement or rehabilitation of approximately 2,874 feet of storm sewer, installation of 23 new storm sewer inlets, and restoration or construction of approximately 1,125 feet of drainage swale. This project will eliminate flooding of public roadways and alleviate a chronic safety hazard resulting from stormwater drainage problems.
Non-Point Source Projects
Northampton County
- **Bethlehem Township Municipal Authority – received a $2,200,000 loan for Phase 1 of a flood mitigation project at Easton Avenue. The project includes upgrading two stormwater detention basins, for the purpose of acting as water-quality bioretention facilities with additional water storage capacity. This project will improve water quality in a stream impaired by siltation.
- **Bethlehem Township Municipal Authority – received a $3,210,000 loan for a restoration project at Sculac Stream to mitigate erosion. Approximately 2,800 feet of the existing channel will be rehabilitated through the installation of 33 boulder cascades to act as step pool/grade control structures along the length of the channel, 6 sawtooth deflectors, 4 bendway weirs, and approximately 50 feet of boulder habitat revetments. Any riparian buffer that is disturbed during the construction process will be replanted with a mix of native shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plantings. This restoration project will address exposed sanitary sewer infrastructure and protect residential backyards from flooding due to channel erosion.
*Denotes projects that are funded by Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF).
**Denotes projects that are funded by Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF).
***Denotes projects that are funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
For projects noted above as funded with DWSRF, CWSRF, and IIJA federal funds, the use of the word ‘grant’ within this release is defined as a principal forgiveness loan, which is the functional equivalent of a grant in that it does not require repayment. For those same projects with loan terms extending beyond 20 years, the use of the word ‘loan’ equates to a bond purchase.