Frankel: Nearly $70 million secured for two water line projects
Will support work to replace leaking lines, lead service lines
Rep. Dan B. Frankel October 16, 2024 | 2:03 PM
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16 – Safer, more reliable water service is on tap for thousands of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority customers thanks to nearly $69.3 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today.
Frankel said the funding to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority includes (1) a 30-year low-interest loan of nearly $62.7 million that will support work to replace approximately 52,880 feet of 8- and 12-inch water lines to address inadequate size and a history of leaks (non-lead project) and (2) $6.6 million in combined grant and loan funding to replace lead lines (lead project).
“Older, leaking lines end up wasting water and draining dollars from customers, who pay the price through higher bills,” Frankel said. “The new work will make water service for thousands of customers far more reliable, efficient and cost-effective.”
The total cost of the non-lead project is nearly $72 million, with the remaining funding coming from a $9.3 million local contribution. The low-interest loan funding from Pennvest will provide the grant equivalent of more than $27.5 million over the life of the loan.
Frankel said that the $6.6 million in funding for the lead project includes a $4.9 million grant and a 30-year low-interest loan of $1.7 million to replace 1,046 residential lead service lines in conjunction with a water main replacement project.
“Our state constitution guarantees the right to clean drinking water, but lead service lines that can leach toxins into our water system threaten that right and pose serious health risks,” Frankel said. “The new funding will allow the water authority to replace more than 1,000 lead service lines to ensure that clean, healthy drinking water is not just a right but a reality for these residents.”