On Wednesday, the Shapiro administration announced the investment of $222.2 million for 31 drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects across 21 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. The projects include replacing lead service lines, rehabilitating aging systems, upgrading service capabilities and reducing environmental contaminants through compliance with current regulatory levels.

In addition to the Altoona Water Authority and Roaring Spring Municipal Authority, other regional authorities receiving funds are:

Portage Borough

The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Portage was awarded a $4.7 million grant and a $11.8 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The authority will replace about 34,500 feet of water distribution lines, 15,750 feet of service lines, 24 fire hydrants and 580-meter pits. Additionally, six lead-galvanized service lines in the project area will be replaced.

East Taylor Township

The East Taylor Municipal Authority has been awarded $9.92 million in funding — a $1.165 million grant and an $8.75 million low-interest loan — from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The funding will be used to replace 22,000 feet of cast iron water line with new plastic water mains, as well as install new lateral piping and meter pits.

“The water distribution system for East Taylor Township is old; it’s experiencing numerous leaks, and the cast iron pipes react with the chlorine used for disinfection that can result in less safe drinking water,” said state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria. “Without this funding, it was expected that user fees would have increased by an additional 69%.”

ETMA serves 983 residential customers.

Woodbury Borough, Township

In Bedford County, the Woodbury Water Authority received a $984,768 loan for a waterline replacement project. About 2,850 feet of C-900 polyvinyl chloride waterline will be installed along Mill Street in Woodbury Borough and Woodbury Township. Replacement of the existing waterline will allow the authority to meet current and future needs of the system and ensure compliance with future regulations.

Saxton Borough

The Saxton Borough Municipal Authority, Bedford County, received a $632,000 loan for improvements at the Power Plant Road lift station serving 764 customers in Liberty Township and Saxton and Hopewell boroughs.

The project includes the construction of a wastewater pump station consisting of two submersible pumps, wet well, valve vault, electrical equipment, fencing and emergency generator. The new station and wet well will contain two submersible pumps in a lead-lag configuration. The existing station will be demolished once the new station is operational.

After demolition of the existing valve pit, the new valve vault will be installed to include plug valves, check valves, electromagnetic flow meter and bypass pumping connections. The existing station’s influent plumbing will be reconfigured to convey flows to the new pump station via the proposed gravity sewer line and the addition of one manhole. This project will contribute to improved operations at the station.

Schellsburg

The Schellsburg Municipal Authority, Bedford County, received a $478,379 grant and a $1,268,511 loan to construct a new sewage pump station to replace an existing station. The Authority intends to construct a new sewage pump station with a capacity of 230 gallons per minute adjacent to the existing pump station located along Courtside Drive, in Schellsburg Borough. In addition to the pump station construction, approximately 1,500 feet of replacement force main, a backup generator and a valve vault will be installed.

The project will address compliancy issues of the current station including the lack of a redundant power source aside from the electrical utility provider, inadequate off-site alarming capabilities and various mechanical ventilation and projection requirements.

Bedford County stormwater project

The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Bedford received a $2,827,371 grant and a $2,432,629 loan to address the lack of or inadequate storm sewers in the south side of the Borough. The project will include the installation of approximately 6,275 feet of storm water pipe ranging from 15 inches to 60 inches along with 49 inlets, several manholes, an end wall and all other necessary appurtenances. Upgrades to the current undersized system will decrease flooding and ponding in the streets and improve driving conditions.