(HARRISBURG) – Falls Creek Borough Municipal Authority will receive $1.4 million in PENNVEST funds to upgrade the water distribution system, state Senator Cris Dush (R-25) and state Rep. Brian Smith (R-66) announced today.
“Water and sewer systems are very important to the health of a community, but very expensive to build and maintain,” Dush said. “PENNVEST grants and loans help to offset costs which means ratepayers do not have to bear the brunt of these expensive improvements that in the end safeguard local water supplies, prevent pollution in our streams, and promote public health.”
“Access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water is a necessity that far too many of us take for granted until service is interrupted,” Rep. Smith said. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to work together with community leaders and Senator Dush to secure this extremely competitive funding to cost-effectively maintain and upgrade our local water infrastructure without a crippling rate increase.”
The project being funded will replace about 2,600 feet of water mains within the Main Street water distribution line.
Established in 1988, the PENNVEST program provides low-interest loans and grants to communities for new construction or improvements to water and wastewater treatment plants. Many of these small community water and sewer systems are in need of major rehabilitation or are too overburdened to accommodate new growth.
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.
CONTACT: Zack Ankeny