On behalf of the six million Pennsylvania citizens whose water and sewage treatment is provided by municipal authorities, the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association endorses the infrastructure referendum on the November 4 ballot.

Sandy Bartosiewicz, President of PMAA and Finance and Budget Director of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority in Wilkes-Barre area, urges all citizens to support clean water infrastructure.

"Our Authority has seen large increases in costs to deal with combined sewer overflows, Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction mandates and general modernization to meet enhanced state and federal environmental standards," said Bartosiewicz. She applauded her local Senator, Ray Musto, sponsor of the funding bill, for his diligence in promoting this initiative.

Pennsylvania faces over $20 billion in costs to modernize its aging sewer and water systems in the coming years, based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's latest Clean Water and Drinking Water Needs Surveys.

These numbers clearly demonstrate the need for more state and federal funding to help these systems. The $400 million in new state funds, if approved by voters, will allow Pennsylvania communities to begin to address their water and sewer upgrade needs.

"This $400 million investment in environmental infrastructure is a great first step for our communities and our environment," said Dennis Wince, past President of PMAA and a board member of the Belle Vernon Municipal Authority. "This is exactly the type of shared investment that will improve the vitality of our communities."

Wince encouraged all citizens to vote YES on the referendum November 4 and cast a vote for clean water.

"We have huge financial needs in southwest Pennsylvania to enhance our aging pipes and plants, particularly in many of the towns struggling with plant closings, job losses and aging populations," said Mick Kenney, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and PMAA Vice President. "Functional and well maintained water and sewer treatment systems protect the public health and facilitate opportunities for development, two goals we are striving for in our region."

Doug Bilheimer, Executive Director of PMAA, added, "Our association supports the referendum as an initial step in recognizing the overwhelming need for environmental infrastructure funding. Recognizing the role water and sewer treatment play in our daily lives, we strongly fee that this infrastructure funding will help to address environmental compliance and public health needs without placing all of the cost on ratepayers."

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10/3/2008