Two local communities were awarded a total of nearly $2.8 million in funding by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) today (July 23), according to Senator Joe Pittman and state Representatives Abby Major and Brian Smith.
Ford City, Armstrong County, was awarded a $1,679,524 grant and Glen Campbell, Indiana County, received a $923,616 grant and a $187,384 low interest loan, according to Senator Pittman, a member of the PENNVEST Board.
Ford City plans to replace approximately 2,650 feet of water main with lead joints along the 5th Avenue area between 14th and 17th Streets; 100 feet of valve cluster piping containing lead — all lead gooseneck service line connections; and five fire hydrants.
“I commend the leadership of Ford City for continuing their ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the borough’s aging infrastructure,” said Senator Pittman. “I am also pleased to see the borough was awarded a sizeable grant by PENNVEST for this work. This funding will help avoid the need to place an additional burden on ratepayers. There remains much more to be done, but this is a critical step for Ford City.”
“I’m pleased to assist the borough with securing funding to help make these needed upgrades,” Representative Major said. “Not only will these improvements ensure the water supply continues to homes, but it also maintains flow to fire hydrants so that our emergency responders can do their jobs when called upon.”
Today’s funding is the latest in a series of state grants and low-interest loans awarded by the state to Ford City. In 2015, PENNVEST approved a $3,196,800 low-interest loan to the borough for construction of a water treatment plant and rehabilitation of a water storage tank. In 2010, the borough received a $467,000 Safe Drinking Water Grant to improve its water system.
Ford City also received $662,172 in H2O PA program funding in July 2009 to add wastewater disposal facilities, cover existing sedimentation tanks, recoat the elevated water storage tank, and replace appurtenant equipment to improve an aged and unreliable water system.
Glen Campbell plans to use the PENNVEST financing to replace a water storage tank and equipment at its water treatment plant including filter units, softeners and brine unit, the groundwater well pump, and distribution pumps.
Building maintenance, including replacement of the electrical service supply in the treatment plant, will be necessary to ensure the upgraded system components run properly, and the longevity of the replacement equipment will be preserved in an approved environment.
In addition, improvements to the water system distribution lines, consisting of a loop connection along First Avenue and a waterline extension along Rickardsale Road, will also be included in the project to serve three residential connections. These upgrades will improve water pressure and flow throughout the system, and repair waterlines that are suspected to have leakage issues along the extent of the line.
“This is another important infrastructure investment in Northern Indiana County, one that is long overdue,” Senator Pittman said. “And, considering the limited ability of local residents to pay increased rates, the large grant award is welcome news.”
“This is an important project to ensure that Glen Campbell Borough residents continue to have safe and clean water for years to come,” Representative Smith said. “Once again, I am pleased to have the opportunity to work together with community leaders and Senator Pittman to secure this extremely competitive funding to cost-effectively maintain and upgrade our local water infrastructure without a crippling rate increase.”
In 2002, Glen Campbell was awarded a $1.4 million grant and a $72,500 loan from PENNVEST to install 16,750 feet of sanitary sewers and build a 34,000 gallon-per-day sewage treatment plan.
PENNVEST is not supported by the state’s General Fund budget, which covers the daily operations and services of the Commonwealth. Financing is provided through the use of federal funding and prior bond issues by the state as well as proceeds from the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee legislation, Act 13 of 2012.
Contact: Jeremy Dias jdias@pasen.gov