Dauphin News

Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) has announced that the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority (SPWA) will receive nearly $2 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to extend a water line for customers currently served by Brave Water and Sewer Authority (BWSA) in Wayne Township, Greene County. The funding will be provided in the form of a low-interest loan and a grant.

"The PENNVEST funding will help to offset the cost of moving to a larger, more capable water system and addressing leaking service lines so customers have access to safe and clean water," said Senator Bartolotta.

Currently, BWSA purchases water from a system in West Virginia, which in turn purchases water from another system even farther away. This has caused delays in the delivery of water to BWSA's system, leading to the exceeding of maximum contaminant levels of disinfection byproducts on multiple occasions. The removal of disinfection byproducts is a challenging and costly task for a small rural water system.

The funding from PENNVEST will enable the extension of the water line by approximately 23,000 feet and the installation of valves, fittings, fire hydrants, and service connections. Once the project is completed, BWSA will no longer be a regulated water supplier, and SPWA will take over the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the water system.

The grant, totaling $894,697, does not need to be repaid. The remaining amount of more than $1 million will be provided as a low-interest loan, which will be repaid over a period of 30 years. This loan will provide the grant equivalent of $514,539 during its repayment period.

PENNVEST approved the funding at its board meeting held today. The state's PENNVEST Program aims to provide financial assistance in the form of low-interest loans and grants for the improvement of drinking water distribution facilities, stormwater conveyance, and wastewater treatment and collection systems.

This funding announcement comes as a significant development for the affected customers in Wayne Township, Greene County, who currently face challenges in accessing safe and clean water. With the support of PENNVEST, the extension of the water line and the improvements in the water system will ensure that these customers have reliable access to safe and clean water in the long term.

For more information, please contact Katrina Hanna at 717-787-1463.