Funds Will Support Water Main and Lead Service Line Replacements
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) board of directors today approved a funding offer for more than $65 million in low interest loans to the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) for the first phase of a comprehensive infrastructure replacement program. The offer is the single largest drinking water funding offer in PENNVEST’s thirty-one year history.
The award will support the first phase of a small diameter main replacement plan for the PWSA service area, which will total more than $326 million upon completion. Initial improvements financed by this award include the replacement of just under 80,000 linear feet of aging water distribution mains, along with the publicly owned portions of more than 2000 water service lines, including approximately 850 lead public service lines. Where the private portion of the service line is also lead, it will be replaced as well. The PWSA service area covers more than 300,000 residents in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
“Tackling Pittsburgh’s aging infrastructure after decades of disinvestment hasn’t been easy, but with the leadership of Governor Wolf, PENNVEST and PWSA, we’re making sure our water is safe and clean for generations of future residents,” Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto said.
“Pennsylvania has some of the oldest infrastructure in our nation,” said Eric Menzer, chairman of the PENNVEST board of directors. “The Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority continues to be a responsible authority providing clean, sustainable water systems to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents. Their commitment to health and safety is evidenced by their plan for more than $326 million in investment over the coming years and PENNVEST is committed to continuing as a partner in that process every step of the way.”
“This funding will allow us to continue and expand our infrastructure renewal efforts. By proactively replacing aging water mains throughout our system, we can improve system reliability and reduce the frequency and severity of service disruptions, while also continuing to aggressively replace lead service lines,” said PWSA Executive Director Robert Weimar. “We’re very thankful to the PENNVEST Board, Governor Wolf, Mayor Peduto, and our city and state legislative leaders for this crucial support, which we project will save our ratepayers $20 million over the next 20 years.”
Since its inception in 1988, PENNVEST has funded nearly 200 clean water projects throughout Allegheny County, providing over $500 million in funding.