Kasunic and Metzgar Announce Water Grants for Somerset County

SOMERSET, July 14, 2009 – State Senator Richard A. Kasunic and State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar today announced five state grants totaling over $4.8 million for water and sewer projects in Somerset County.

“This funding will enable Somerset County officials to proceed with needed repairs to sewer and water systems,” Kasunic said. “I am pleased that state dollars are being made available for these important projects during these difficult economic times.”

Metzgar added, “Senator Kasunic and I worked closely together with local officials to identify needed projects and obtain this state funding. We will continue to seek state support for worthy local projects.”

The two lawmakers said the projects include:

• Jenner Township will receive $985,680 to build two sewage pump stations and a well pump facility to assist with sewage force main and water system improvements in the township. Some of the permits are in hand, some need to be transferred and others are in process.
• Somerset County General Authority will receive $1 million to construct water lines and treatment plant for the Quemahoning Interconnection Water Project in Somerset Township. The project includes a new water treatment facility, pumps and 20 miles of 18" pipelines that will utilize Quemahoning Reservoir to provide water to eight communities. Water will run over two miles and be lifted over 400 feet to a new 2 million gallons-per-day water plant. The project is already underway.
• Somerset Township Municipal Authority will receive $2.5 million to assist with the Friedens Water Project to include the construction of a 0.5MG water storage tank, installation of two parallel pipelines from the Quemahoning Pipeline Tap, and the installation of a chemical feed station and water distribution system in Somerset Township. The project will regionalize five existing water systems that have various water quality/quantity issues. The lawmakers said nearly all of the systems have received notices of violation for various reasons and would likely avoid enforcement action through consolidation.
• Garrett Borough will receive $336,996 to build a 155,000 gallon water tank and other site work for the Water Treatment Plant Improvements project in Summit Township. The borough is being required to install filtration of the water source due to direct influence of surface water.
• The Shade-Central City Joint Authority will receive $36,886 for a sewage system improvement project in Central City Borough. The proposed project will install 1,600 feet of 8" sewers, install 2,000 of 12" sewer, and replace the generator and the transfer switch at the pump station.

The funds are part of the H20 PA Act, a state program designed to help municipalities and authorities pay for repairs to their water, sewer, and flood control systems. The program is funded with gaming proceeds through the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.

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