HARRISBURG – Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) announced that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) has approved funding for two important water infrastructure projects that will improve water quality, reliability, and public health in Snyder, Columbia, and Luzerne Counties.
In Perry Township, Snyder County, the Perry Township Municipal Authority will receive $5.8 million in grant funding to replace its aging wastewater treatment plant, which was originally built in 1988 and has exceeded its useful life. The current system is no longer effectively meeting treatment standards, particularly during wet weather when stormwater overwhelms the infrastructure.
The project will replace the existing facility with a new wastewater treatment system that includes updated technology and expanded capacity. It will also connect 52 nearby homes currently using on-lot septic systems to the public sewer system. The improvements will protect local waterways, enhance public health, and reduce maintenance costs for residents.
In Berwick, Columbia and Luzerne Counties, the Pennsylvania American Water Company will receive $25.4 million to construct a new water treatment plant designed to remove PFAS chemicals from the local water supply. Recent water quality studies showed that PFAS levels at the Berwick facility exceeded new federal limits.
The new plant will include advanced treatment systems, new filtration technology, and corrosion control upgrades. Once completed, it will ensure safe, clean drinking water for more than 6,700 households across five municipalities in the region.
“These projects are great examples of how state investment helps protect public health and maintain essential infrastructure,” Culver said. “By addressing these issues now, we’re improving water quality, keeping rates affordable, and ensuring that our communities have safe and reliable service for years to come.”
Construction on both projects is expected to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027.
PENNVEST funds sewer, stormwater, and drinking water projects that protect public health and the environment while promoting sustainable communities.
Contact:
Sam Clepper