North Central PA Times

Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver and Rep. Mike Cabell have announced a significant state investment of $12.75 million to upgrade the Conyngham-Sugarloaf Joint Municipal Authority's wastewater treatment plant.

“This funding will ensure the wastewater treatment plant can adequately serve local residents while also helping to protect the environment,” Culver stated. “This is a significant state investment in an essential community infrastructure system that delivers a fundamental service for local residents. These state dollars will enable this project to enhance the capability of a local infrastructure asset while also improving the water quality in local streams.”

Cabell also highlighted the importance of the funding, stating, “This is a massive investment in local infrastructure and will resolve a long-standing problem for the Conyngham-Sugarloaf Joint Municipal Authority, which serves more than 1,200 residential customers.”

The upgrade aims to address the current issue of the plant being hydraulically overloaded, which has led to untreated or inadequately treated sewage seeping into local waterways. The project will increase the treatment plant’s capacity from 350,000 gallons per day to 500,000 gallons per day.

The funding for the project, provided through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), will be in the form of a 20-year, low-interest loan with a 1% interest rate for the first five years that increases to 1.743% in year six until the loan is repaid. The low-interest loan is estimated to provide the grant equivalent of more than $3.8 million.

The project includes various upgrades such as the installation of a new influent pump station, screening facility, grit removal system, control building, chemical feed systems, piping and valves, ultraviolet disinfection system, plant water system, effluent flow meter, supervisory control and data acquisition instrumentation, and necessary site work.

The initiative is crucial to not only enhance the treatment capacity of the plant but also to address permit violations and improve water quality in the area. Culver and Cabell have been instrumental in securing the necessary funding to support this essential infrastructure project.