HARRISBURG – Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) and Rep. Shelby Labs (R-143) announced today that Sellersville and Perkasie will receive more than $6.1 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to remove chemicals from the water supply and improve the reliability of wastewater service.
Perkasie Regional Authority will receive more than $668,00 in a low-interest loan and a grant of nearly $3.2 million to improve water quality and increase system reliability. Granular-activated carbon will be used to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The funding will be used to construct a building for the treatment of two wells as an addition to the granular-activated carbon filter vessels for removal of PFAS from the blended well water supply.
“Drinking water with levels of PFAS that are too high may cause health issues, including an increased risk of cancer. The $3.8 million in state funding will play a critical role in addressing this problem without raising the rate of Perkasie Regional Authority’s residential, commercial and industrial customers,” Coleman said. “I’m pleased to see this funding being used wisely.”
“This funding from PENNVEST is a major investment in our community’s infrastructure,” said Labs. “It is part of the continued commitment to ensuring residents have access to safe drinking water while also combatting potentially negative environmental impacts.”
Sellersville Borough will receive nearly $2.3 million in a low-interest loan to address a faulty gravity sanitary sewer main, which has been in service for more than 65 years. It experiences significant infiltration and inflow during rain events. A video inspection also showed pipe sags, leaking joints and lateral break-ins.
The loan, which will provide the grant-equivalent of nearly $638,000 throughout the life of the loan, will replace more than 5,800 feet of eight-inch and 10-inch gravity sanitary sewer mail on Lawn Avenue between Almont Road and Maple Avenue. New pipe will include 4,195 feet of eight-inch and 1,671 feet of 10-inch gravity sewer main. The project also includes replacing 29 manholes.
PENNVEST approved the funding at its board meeting today. The state’s PENNVEST Program provides low-interest loans and grants for the design, engineering and construction of drinking water distribution facilities, stormwater conveyance and wastewater treatment and collection systems.
CONTACT: Robert Arena, (Coleman’s office), 484-861-4964
Joe Szymanski, (Labs’ office), 717-808-4961