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Wastewater management systems in Cambria and Clearfield counties will receive $6.3 million in funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, according to state Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Cambria/Clearfield.
West Branch Sewer Authority in Cambria County will receive a combined $4.5 million in state grant and loan funding to install observation ports and replace infrastructure to address excessive flows in the wastewater system. Without this investment, user fees were expected to have increased by an additional 19%.
The project includes the installation of approximately 1,600 six-inch lateral observation stacks, associated connections, pipe and restoration. Approximately 365 feet of sanitary sewer main on Maple Avenue in Northern Cambria Borough will also be replaced, along with existing lateral connections, manholes and appurtenances. These upgrades will ensure proper flow throughout the system, reestablish hydraulic capacity of the sanitary sewer main and allow for the monitoring of wet weather inflow and infiltration.
BCI Municipal Authority in Clearfield County will receive a $1.8 million grant to install new equipment at pump stations in Blain City, Coalport and Lyleville.
The project will include the installation at each station of two submersible pumps designed to pump raw sewage and sewage sludge, complete with motors, a lift out guide rail system for pump removal, liquid level controls, a pump control panel and all necessary wiring and appurtenances.
Replacing this infrastructure will improve the operation and reliability of the system while preventing a projected 38% increase in user rates.
"Investments in aging wastewater infrastructure are crucial to ensuring public health and community resilience," Langerholc said.
Huntingdon project funded
The Huntingdon County Conservation District received a $2.2 million grant to install Agricultural Best Management Practices at the Way-Lynn Farm.
The project will include construction of a 52-foot-by-144-foot roofed heavy-use area, a 40-foot-by-200-foot roofed heavy-use area, a concrete liquid waste storage facility, underground manure storage and waste transfer line, along with the decommissioning of the existing earthen manure storage.
It is estimated that this project will reduce 1,562 pounds of nitrogen, 41 pounds of phosphorus and 9,810 pounds of sediment and includes a nutrient management plan along with soil and water conservation plan implementation.
A second project in state Rep. Rich Irvin's district of Franklin and Huntingdon counties is a $22.25 million low-interest loan for the Bear Valley Water Authority to upgrade their water distribution system.
This work will increase the permitted capacity of the plant, decrease water leakage and diminish the need for the authority to purchase water from a neighboring borough.
Irvin said while these projects are not something most people think about, they are "vital to protecting our environment and public health and ensuring everyone has access to an ample, clean water supply."