Green Water Infrastructure

The Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force this week announced it will hold seven public input sessions around the state designed to get a better idea of water infrastructure needs and creative solutions to meeting those needs.

The meetings will be held--

· May 15 – 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Lincoln Room, Best Western Inn, 1600 Industrial Highway, Pottstown;

· May 19 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Connan Room, University Center (Building #28), Carnegie Mellon University, 500 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh;

· May 21 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Rhoades Auditorium, Robert W. Rhoades Center, Clarion University Venango Campus, 1801 W. First St., Oil City;

· May 22 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Terrace Room, Clarion Hotel DuBois, 1896 Rich Highway, DuBois;

· May 27 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Crown Room, Convention Hall, 1073 Oak St., Pittston;

· May 28 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Town Hall Room, Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem; and

· May 29 – 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Mazie Gable Elementary School, 100 E. Prospect St., Red Lion.

"Safe, reliable drinking water and effective wastewater treatment systems are paramount to the health and welfare of our citizens, as well as the vibrancy of our economy," said Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty, who chairs the task force. "With Pennsylvania facing a nearly $20 billion funding shortfall to upgrade our water-related infrastructure, we must find alternatives to expensive capital construction projects. This issue impacts every community, every business and every citizen of the commonwealth, and that's why their input is essential."

DEP said Task Force members want to hear recommendations from the public about what issues the task force should consider; what existing statutory, regulatory or public policy barriers prevent the long-term sustainability of Pennsylvania's water infrastructure; and possible new revenue streams that could help meet the state's infrastructure needs.

Thirteen people testified at this week’s meeting, including representatives of utility contractors, financial management companies, water resources groups and municipal authorities.

Bern Sweeney, Stroud Water Research Center, pointed to the need to consider forested stream buffers as “green infrastructure” because they are a primary determinate of stream health. Buffers also significantly lower the cost of treating drinking water quoting a recent study which demonstrated that a watershed with 60 percent forest cover resulted in water treatment costs of $37 per million gallons, while a watershed with 10 percent forest costs $115 per million gallons.

Sweeney also said the Pennsylvania Fair Share for Clean Water Plan was an important proposal to help fund the placement of buffers and many other green infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth.

A coalition of environmental, farm, businesses and municipal groups recently announced the Pennsylvania Fair Share for Clean Water Plan to help wastewater plant ratepayers and farmers finance improvements needed to address Chesapeake Bay and statewide water quality improvement mandates while preserving economic opportunity for future homeowners and businesses.

The groups include: Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Builders Association, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In addition, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and the Federation of Sportsmens Clubs voiced their support for the plan.

The seven-year plan includes $500 million to help finance a portion of the upgrades needed by wastewater treatment plants in the region and $390 million to help farmers install conservation practices.

184 wastewater treatment plants have or will have in the very near future specific nutrient limits imposed on their NPDES permits requiring them to make decisions on how to upgrade their facilities starting this year.

Gov. Rendell created the task force with Executive Order 2008-02 in February and charged members with developing a report by October 1 that provides recommendations and financing options that may support water-related services in the Governor's fiscal year 2009-10 budget proposal.

The Governor’s Task Force convened for the first time in April and formed five work groups to address the most pressing issues: needs assessment, innovative measures, financial resources, financial sustainability and legislative and regulatory needs.

For more information, visit the Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force webpage or contact Marcus Kohl, DEP, 717-783-7404 or send email to: mkohl@state.pa.us.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Fair Share Plan for Clean Water, visit the Fair Share Plan webpage.

NewsClips: Task Force Seeks Public Input on PA Water Infrastructure Needs

Water Infrastructure Needs Topic of Red Lion Meeting

Governor Urges Federal Infrastructure Investment

Video Blog: Remarks By Coalition Partners on the Fair Share Clean Water Plan

Links: Coalition Proposes Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan

16,000 Miles of Polluted Streams Add Urgency to Call for Clean Water Funding

CBF, Other Groups Ask State to Be a Partner in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan

5/9/2008