Pennsylvania Governor Announces $100 Million in Grants to Support Clean Waterways, Control Pollution

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that Pennsylvania is investing more than $100 million to clean up state waterways and improve wastewater and sewage facilities that will enhance the quality of life and economic growth in dozens of communities in 23 counties.

“Our investment of $100 million in state funds will improve the quality of life and the job growth potential in many communities across the commonwealth,” Rendell said. “By making these much needed improvements, many towns and cities will not only protect our natural resources, but also enhance their chances of attracting new businesses, jobs and investment.

“These projects will improve the quality of our waterways while helping communities maintain their sewer systems and waste water treatment plants.”

During the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Authority (PENNVEST) board meeting, more than $100 million was announced for 34 projects in 23 counties. The money comes from a $50 million grant through Rendell’s innovative $2.8 billion economic stimulus program, and low-interest PENNVEST loans.

“Since coming to Harrisburg three years ago, we have used our resources to help communities meet the challenges of the future,” Rendell said. “By combining PENNVEST loans with economic stimulus grant, not only are we saving towns and cities money they would have to spend to borrow for these projects, but we also are providing them the funds to make these needed improvements now. That is how state government should assist local communities in preparing for the future.”

The money will be used to support the installation of nutrient-reduction technology in wastewater treatment plants. This technology removes nitrogen and phosphorus from treatment plant emissions, a critical step in improving water quality in many streams, as well as the Chesapeake Bay. Funding for nutrient-reduction technology activities is $32.6 million.

More than $51 million dollars will also be used for combined sewer overflow and sanitary sewer overflow. Combined sewer overflow, as the name implies, combines sanitary and storm sewer drainage in common pipes and carries the total flow to sewage treatment plants. Sanitary sewer overflows, on the other hand, involve sanitary sewer systems with old pipes that are not water-tight, allowing storm water to enter the system and be carried to the treatment plant.

In both instances, wastewater treatment plants become overloaded during heavy rains, reducing their ability to provide adequate treatment, which results in their discharging this waste directly to receiving streams. This is a major source of contamination in many parts of Pennsylvania and particularly affects older communities with deteriorated and inadequate facilities.

Pennsylvania and other states in the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed must meet federally established goals for nutrient and sediment reduction to remove the estuary from the U.S. Clean Water Act’s list of impaired waters by 2010.

Among the requirements are new limits on point sources. Significant sewage and industrial dischargers in Pennsylvania must reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Susquehanna and Potomac river watersheds each year.

Pennsylvania has in place a wide-ranging water quality initiative designed to clean up the state’s rivers and streams, and the state is investing heavily in these efforts. Rendell has secured and delivered substantial new dollars to help meet these obligations, including the $32.6 million for nutrient reductions.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has conducted more than 70 public meetings with hundreds of individuals over the last year to highlight key implementation details that will enable the state to meet the water quality goals.

“Pennsylvania’s wastewater infrastructure plays a critical role in environmental protection and public health,” Rendell said. “It is also among the unseen links in the state’s attempt to promote economic prosperity. We have to upgrade our infrastructure if we are going to keep residents safe, grow our economy and attract new investments that keep Pennsylvania competitive.”

The PENNVEST board of directors also approved four drinking water projects for $3.2 million during the meeting. This brought the total funding for this meeting to $105.1 million, of which $54.3 million was in the form of low interest loans and $50.8 million was in grant funding.

Source: PENNVEST