Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced funding for an Abandoned Mine Land project to construct a public waterline to serve 148 homes and businesses with public drinking water.

“The Pine Grove Waterline Project will eliminate health and safety hazards to the community and provide a safe, reliable public drinking water supply,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Residents here have struggled with diminished water supply and degraded water quality for too long.”

Existing water supplies in the area do not meet minimum state and federal drinking water standards due to impacts of legacy underground and surface coal mine operations.

The project will include the construction and installation of a pump station and water storage tank, and construction of approximately 69,300 linear feet of waterline. The tank and pump station will facilitate future expansion of the waterline service.

“This project not only promotes public health by providing safe drinking water to residents, but it also promotes economic development by providing vital infrastructure to support businesses, making future development in the area possible,” said McDonnell.

The Pine Grove Waterline Project is part of the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Pilot Program, funded by $30 million from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of Interior. Projects were chosen for their strong potential for combined community, economic, and environmental outcomes.

Joining Secretary McDonnell in discussing the importance of this project at the event and touring the waterline route in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, were Congressman Glenn Thompson and representatives from OSMRE, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, the Clearfield Municipal Authority, and Bee Kind Winery.

For more information on abandoned mine reclamation, visit DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation webpage.

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10/23/2017