HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) and Representative Garth Everett (R-84) today announced that a second investment in Lycoming County will address existing wastewater infrastructure needs and improve the health and welfare of area residents.
As part of the current round of PENNVEST loan and grant initiatives, the West Branch Regional Authority, located in Muncy, will receive a $3,924,600 low-interest loan for costs associated with the final phase of the construction of a new regional 2.4 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant. The final phase of the project will reduce the inflow and infiltration in the Clinton Township and Montgomery and Muncy Borough’s collection systems. Once the inflow and infiltration work is complete, the existing wastewater treatment plants, acting as supplemental wet weather treatment, will be decommissioned and demolished. The regional wastewater treatment plant currently under construction will serve four municipalities within Lycoming County.
On January 22nd, PENNVEST awarded the Authority a $22,969,626 low-interest loan and a $5,491,723 grant to assist with the construction of the plant.
Yaw and Everett said these investments will give 10,000 residents more than just a new wastewater treatment plant and needed infrastructure upgrades.
“Without these investments, area user fees would be expected to increase,” Yaw said. “By using PENNVEST funding for this project, the authority’s customers will save a significant amount of money over the life of the loan rather than using money obtained on the commercial finance market.”
“This is great news,” said Everett. “The elimination of storm water infiltrating the system in final phase of the project will allow the Authority to decommission the two old plants, do away with the cost of processing rain water and allow the Authority to accept new customers on the system.”
Once completed, the project will eliminate the hydraulic overload conditions at the Muncy and Montgomery Borough wastewater treatment facilities. Construction of a larger, more centralized, treatment plant outside the flood plain also eliminates public health hazards associated with the discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater to publically accessible areas, including into the Susquehanna River.
The project’s anticipated completion date is March 31, 2015.
PENNVEST provides financial assistance to communities throughout Pennsylvania seeking to improve environmental conditions and safeguard the health of residents.
CONTACT:
Rita Zielonis, 717-787-3280 (Sen. Yaw)
Charley Hall, 570-546-2084 (Rep. Everett)