EPA awards $33.9M to PA for drinking water improvement projects

PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $33.9 million to Pennsylvania for drinking water improvement projects throughout the state.

This grant, along with $6.8 million in state matching funds, further capitalizes on Pennsylvania’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program that provides low interest loans to communities for drinking water projects.

“EPA’s continued commitment to supporting infrastructure projects with our state and local partners helps ensure residents have affordable access to safe drinking water and cleaner waterways,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “EPA is proud to support projects throughout Pennsylvania that support public health by improving drinking water.”

The grant money will be combined with repayments from prior loans and interest earnings to provide direct funding to communities.

One project included additional funding to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to support replacement of 2,800 public lead service line connections, which includes an estimated 2,400 private lead service lines. Overall, seven miles of lead service pipe will be replaced.