Northwest PA News

Sens. Joe Pittman and Scott Hutchinson, along with Reps. Donna Oberlander, Abby Major, and Marci Mustello, have announced that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) has allocated over $3.4 million for projects in Armstrong County.

"Wastewater projects are an essential part of maintaining the health and safety of our communities, but often come with a high cost," stated Pittman. "I’m pleased this state support will help to ensure necessary improvements are made while reducing the burden on local residents."

The Cowanshannock Township Municipal Authority received $2,724,000 in funding to improve its wastewater treatment plant. This includes a low-interest loan of nearly $1.44 million and a grant of nearly $1.29 million. The authority serves 384 residential customers in Cowanshannock Township.

In 2019, the state Department of Environmental Protection identified issues with how Cowanshannock Township Municipal Authority was disposing of treated industrial wastewater. To resolve this, they plan to connect the Yatesboro Water Treatment Plant to the Shannock Valley General Services Authority’s public sewer system.

"The funding will be used to improve the Yatesboro Water Treatment Plant, which will benefit public health," said Oberlander.

Additionally, a grant of $742,947 was awarded to the Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township in Butler County for replacing lead water lines in Freeport Borough within Armstrong County.

"Lead water lines are dangerous to a person’s health, especially young children," Major noted. "The cost to replace these pipes without state assistance would have resulted in rate increases that residents would have been unable to afford."

Hutchinson expressed satisfaction with securing funding for Buffalo Township's project: "This will help improve service reliability, water quality and overall community health without a bill increase for local residents."

Mustello added: "Upon the project’s completion, the community will benefit from increased water availability, water conservation enhancements and improved service reliability."

PENNVEST is financed through federal funds and prior bond issues by the state as well as proceeds from Act 13 of 2012's Marcellus Shale Impact Fee legislation.