HARRISBURG, April 20, 2009 -- State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) today announced over $18 million in grants and low-interest state loans to improve local infrastructure and public health.
“With infrastructure crumbling throughout the Commonwealth and causing health and structural problems, this funding comes at a great time,” Ferlo said. “This funding will go a long way to ensuring a sound infrastructure, as well as improving public health in the community by improving waste water elimination.”
Funding was approved for the following projects:
- Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority – Water Improvements Project (Phase V) receives $10,750,800 in low-interest loans to replace and upgrade the existing sludge collectors and motor control in the electrical room at the City of Pittsburgh water treatment plant. Also included in the project is the rehabilitation of 10,000 linear feet of the old Fox Chapel sixty inch riveted steel water main and the rehabilitation of the Squirrel Hill water storage tank.
“This project has many community benefits,” Ferlo said. “Not only will this project provide a safe and reliable public water supply to the community, it will also prove sufficient water for fire protection.”
- Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority – Sanitary Sewer Improvement Projects (Phase 2) receives $10,264,250 in low-interest loans for the rehabilitation and replacement of approximately 24,500 linear feet of sewers that were identified as having defects throughout various areas of the city. The project is aimed at reducing wet weather flows and minimizing wet weather bypassing into the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers. It will also provide infrastructure improvements by replacing the existing sewer system.
- The Borough of Apollo – Sewer Separation Project receives $7,044,510 in grant funding to install approximately 39,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers and to convert the existing combined sewers into storm sewers. Benefits of this project include providing proper transport and treatment of wastewater by eliminating five combined sewer overflows which discharge untreated wastewater into the Kiskiminetas River during wet weather.
“It is imperative that we continue to work toward improving infrastructure and the quality of our wastewater systems so that our citizens can have safe, clean water for drinking and other aquatic activities,” Ferlo said. “These projects will ensure that residents in this community will benefit from wastewater system upgrades that will dramatically improve the quality of life for them and for their communities.”
The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) will administer the loan.
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