HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the investment of $39 million for 12 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across nine counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. Four farm projects were included.
“Today marked another special day for the Pennvest program and for the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Wolf said. “By approving almost $40 million in funding for clean water projects across the commonwealth, the Pennvest board continued its commitment to improve the quality of our rivers and streams, the health of our families and the economic prosperity of our state.”
Of the $39 million, $18.2 million is allocated for low-interest loans and $20.8 million is awarded through grants.
The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants to Pennvest from the Environmental Protection Agency and recycled loan repayments from previous Pennvest awards. Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to Pennvest.
The Chester County Conservation District and Elmer Kaufman received a $408,039 grant to install manure control facilities, including a concrete waste storage structure, gutters and downspouts, four catch basins and new pipes, as well as planting 900 feet of new grass waterways, to reduce nutrient run-off into Two Log Run during wet weather.
The Chester County Conservation District and Daniel Esh received a $350,467 grant to install a variety of manure control facilities, including more than 1,000 square feet of paved and curbed barnyard as well as 14,400 square feet of reinforced gravel animal trail to reduce nutrient runoff into a tributary of the East Branch of Octoraro Creek during wet weather.
The Chester County Conservation District and Fiddle Creek Dairy received a $245,494 grant to install a roofed manure stacking structure, a watering facility and underground outlets, as well as animal trails and walkways that will serve to reduce nutrient runoff into a tributary of Big Beaver Creek during wet weather.
The Chester County Conservation District and David Stoltzfus received a $347,055 grant to make a variety of improvements in manure handling facilities as well as installing reinforced gravel animal walkways, a stream crossing and streambank fencing, all of which will reduce nutrient runoff into Muddy Run during wet weather.
