GREENE TOWNSHIP, PA-- Voters on Election Day will have an opportunity to approve an investment that will provide clean and reliable drinking water and rebuild Pennsylvania's infrastructure while supporting 12,000 jobs, said Department of
Environmental Protection acting Secretary John Hanger today.
Hanger visited the township today where failing on-lot septic systems are expected to lead to a new, costly municipal sewage system.
Voter approval of the Clean Water Referendum bond issue will serve as a down payment toward fixing Pennsylvania's deteriorating pipes and sewer lines.
A recent study by the 30-member Sustainable Infrastructure Task Force, convened by Governor Edward G. Rendell, estimates that drinking water and wastewater systems statewide need at least $36.5 billion over the next 20years to maintain reliable service. The task force -- a group of business leaders, legislators, government officials and industry experts -- found
that every county in the commonwealth is facing significant water infrastructure needs.
The $400 million up for consideration through the referendum would be used for grants by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, or PENNVEST, to upgrade or repair drinking water systems and wastewater treatment system projects in every region of the state.
Grants awarded would range from $2 million to $20 million, depending on the size of the drinking water or sewage treatment system. In addition, the 183 publicly owned water systems facing federal mandates to reduce nutrient pollution in the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay, would be eligible for support under this referendum.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
www.depweb.state.pa.us
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