On February 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $91.9 million to Pennsylvania from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that communities can use to upgrade essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies.

Nearly half of the funding, which comes through this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs.

“The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program is a powerful partnership between EPA and the states,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Pennsylvania communities  can use this additional funding to make a difference with the water infrastructure projects that protect public health, ecosystems and waterways throughout Pennsylvania.

Specific projects for this year’s funding have not yet been announced, but examples of projects targeted to receive CWSRF Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding from last year include--

-- The Portage Area Sewer Authority in Cambria County, Pa. is targeted to receive a $1.14 million loan and a $7.46 million grant to install 19,000 feet of sanitary sewer collection lines and convert the existing line into storm sewer lines. The project will help eliminate flooding and overflows from a treatment plant, reducing the risk of sewage discharge into the Conemaugh River.

-- The Lancaster Area Sewer Authority is targeted to receive a $111.2 million loan to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility to reduce nutrient runoff and help the facility meet discharge goals designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay.

“Communities across Pennsylvania rely on water and sewage infrastructure to keep their communities clean and safe every day,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (Pa.). “Thanks to the infrastructure law, Pennsylvania is receiving nearly $92 million to upgrade this essential infrastructure to protect communities across the Commonwealth from contamination, flooding, and more. Once again, the infrastructure law is working to keep Pennsylvanians safe—and creating jobs.”

In Pennsylvania, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority administers this funding. Visit the PennVEST website for information on water infrastructure funding opportunities.

Related Articles:

-- DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation  [PaEN]

-- NRCS-PA Seeking Applications To Expand Conservation Assistance To Underserved Agricultural Producers, Students To Pursue Careers In Agriculture [PaEN]

-- EPA Awards $91.9 Million To Pennsylvania For Water Infrastructure Upgrades Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [PaEN]

-- PennVEST Inviting Comments On Clean Water Procurement Program Guidelines  [PaEN]

-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts: Highlights Of County Conservation District Activities In 2022 

-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases New Course On Evaluating Legacy Sediments & Stream Restoration Using Oil Creek, York County As Case Study  [PaEN]

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Names Joe Hallinan New Manager, Erin Via Logistics Specialist For PA-Wide Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership [PaEN]

-- Pike Conservation District: PennDOT, Winter Weather Management, Salt Watch By Izaak Walton League And You - By Rachael Marques, Pike County Watershed Specialist  [PaEN]

-- PA Sea Grant: Online Great Lakes Literacy Education Exploration Opportunities For Educators (GLLee) Now Available  [PaEN]

-- PA American Water Seeking Entries For Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest  [PaEN]

-- Londonderry Twp/Local Conservation Partners Host 1-Mile Fun Run & Field Day For Clean Water In Elizabethtown, Lancaster County  [PaEN]

[Posted: February 28, 2023]

3/6/2023