April 22, 2020
READING, April 22, 2020 – A low-interest loan in the amount of $1.7 million approved today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) will help fund the Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority’s recently completed Perkiomen Avenue Water Main Replacement Project, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11) and state Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126).
“This project will help ensure that the residents of Mount Penn Borough and the Antietam Valley continue to enjoy the benefit of a safe and high-quality municipal water service for decades to come,” Schwank said. “I commend local officials for their foresight and diligence in coordinating this infrastructure project with PennDOT’s Perkiomen Avenue upgrade work.”
“Replacement of aging infrastructure and preventative maintenance are some of the more difficult challenges local officials face,” Rozzi said. “This project addresses both those needs—it protects water quality, improves service reliability, and will lessen the potential of breaks and service loss.”
The project included the replacement of 5,740 feet of water lines, as well as valves, hydrants, and customer service connections.
PENNVEST funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency, and loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.
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August 11, 2016
Harrisburg – Aug. 11, 2016 – Upgrades at Reading’s Fritz Island Waste Water Treatment Facility will be completed thanks to $27.1 million in additional funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said today.
“I’m encouraged by the approval of additional state funding to support this important project” Schwank said. “Our residents depend on the efficient operation of this plant for clean water and a functional sewer system. These upgrades are critical to the future of the plant.”
The $27.1 million loan is in addition to $121.8 million that was previously approved by PENNVEST for the facility.
Schwank said that the funding was approved at a special meeting of the PENNVEST board today. The additional funding ensures that all necessary improvements to the facility can be made.
At the Fritz Island solids plant, the dollars will be used to address numerous discharge system issues. It will also pay for the construction of a primary clarifier distribution structure, the rehabilitation of other primary clarifiers and other system improvements.
At the liquids plant, the funds will be used for construction projects to prevent the discharge of sewage into the Schuylkill River.
PENNVEST funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.
Reading is under a federal consent decree to fix problems in the city’s sewer system, which serves more than 22,000 households in Reading and customers in other municipalities
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July 22, 2015
HARRISBURG, July 22, 2015 – The ongoing rejuvenation of Reading’s treatment facilities today counted the approval of a $37.2 million low-interest loan for the replacement of the Fritz Island solid waste treatment plant.
Just as it approved an $84.6 million loan in April for Reading’s wastewater treatment plant, PENNVEST approved the new low-interest advance during its meeting today. The $37.2 million project will also help to protect the Schuylkill River from raw sewage discharges, and it will help to resolve National Pollutant Discharge System violations.
The new project is expected to create 65 construction jobs.
“With hard, diligent work, the understanding of PENNVEST’s board, and the cooperation of the U.S. Department of Justice, it is our pleasure to announce the approval of this new loan to get the Fritz Island solid waste treatment plant working correctly again,” said Sen. Judy Schwank. “Years of neglect jeopardized south Reading and the people living downstream from Fritz Island, but that’s about to change in a big way.”
“We need these funds to make sure Reading residents are protected from pollution and the Schuylkill River flows cleanly and freely,” Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Reading) said. “More than $121 million is being delivered to Fritz Island and the city from PENNVEST, which is the help we need to improve the systems’ ability to deliver great service and to restore Reading’s role as good environmental stewards.”
The 20-year loan carries a one-percent interest rate and it will not impact the rates residents now pay for solid waste treatment.
“It’s a good news kind of day for Reading and its environs,” said Rep. Mark Rozzi. “Not only will raw sewage stop traveling into the Schuylkill during rainy weather and bodies of surface water that support the river be better protected, but residents’ monthly bills will not go up because of this project.”
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants to PENNVEST from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.
Funds are not released until bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST.
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April 22, 2015
HARRISBURG, April 22, 2015 – Residents of a southeastern Berks County community will enjoy better drinking water following the completion of a sanitary sewer project that today was awarded a $5.3 million investment from the commonwealth.
State Sens. Judy Schwank (D-Ruscombmanor Township) and John Rafferty (R-Collegeville) said PENNVEST’s funding for the Geigertown project includes a $3.33 million grant.
“Geigertown residents will win the benefits of cleaner drinking water and improved pollution controls, and Geigertown taxpayers will not have to pay the full bill to correct the village’s problems,” Sen. Schwank said following the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority’s approval of the project. “It’s a win-win for Geigertown residents and our environment.”
Malfunctioning “on-lot” sewage systems have been sending sewage runoff into the Hay Creek Watershed.
“Geigertown sits near French Creek State Park so today’s PENNVEST decision will help to improve the quality of life for the village’s residents and it will safeguard a special public space that entertains visitors and serves as a habitat for wildlife,” Sen. Rafferty said.
Under the terms of the PENNVEST investment, Geigertown will have 20 years to pay back $2 million. The loan carries a 1-percent interest rate.
The project will result in the construction of more than 12,000 linear feet of 8-inch pipe, more than 1,600 feet of 6-inch pipe, 51 new manholes, two pumping stations, plus other technology.
It will also eliminate the need for a non-compliance order from the state Department of Environmental Protection that was written to correct the sewage runoff problems.
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April 22, 2015
HARRISBURG, April 22, 2015 – The City of Reading will get a much needed boost in its ongoing efforts to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, meet the terms of a federal order, and protect the quality of the Schuylkill River with the approval today of an $84.6 million investment by a state agency that’s dedicated to improving the quality of drinking water and local environments throughout Pennsylvania.
PENNVEST approved the low-interest loan during its meeting today. The $84.586 million decision will help the city upgrade its sewage treatment plant and help to resolve National Pollutant Discharge System violations.
The project will also create 140 construction jobs.
“We worked together to get this low-interest loan approved and it will be the residents of the City of Reading who will benefit from an upgraded and properly functioning treatment plant and a cleaner Schuylkill River,” Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Ruscombmanor Township) said. “Tens of thousands of people depend on the city’s treatment plant and need it to enjoy a better quality of life.”
“This vital state investment means Reading will be able to meet the federal order that is requiring the city to have a new treatment plant ready to go in less than three years,” Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Reading) said. “More importantly, it will restore a quality service that is desperately needed.”
The U.S. Department of Justice amended the federal consent decree in February 2014 to give Reading the ability to rebuild the current plant on Fritz’s Island.
“We all live downstream,” said Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Temple), “so we become better stewards of our local environment and we ensure the sustainability of the Schuylkill River and the Delaware Estuary with this critical state investment. The excellent work between local, state and federal governments is also saving millions of dollars for Reading as we move forward.”
The $84.6 million loan carries a one-percent interest rate and a 20 year repayment plan.
Among other things, the money will pay for the construction of a new pumping station, a primary clarifier distribution structure, the rehab of primary water clarifiers, and the conversion of aeration tanks.
PENNVEST approved a $10 million low-interest loan for the treatment plant project in April 2012.
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants to PENNVEST from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.
Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST.
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April 25, 2012
READING, April 25, 2012 — The City of Reading has received significant state funding toward a project that will improve the city’s sewer system, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone.
The $10 million low-interest loan, administered by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), will go toward the replacement of the existing force main and the installation of two metering chambers, several air release valve vaults, and other improvements at the site of pumping station.
The system’s hydraulically overloaded force main has resulted in numerous leaks and subsequent raw sewage discharge into the Schuylkill River. The replacement of the force main and other improvements will create an additional flow to the treatment plant, which will eliminate breakages, overloads to the sewer system, backups and raw sewage discharges.
“This project will not only improve the functionality of the sewer system but it will also keep pollutants out of our river,” Schwank said. “Citizens depend on our sewer systems to work properly and thanks to this funding award, the city can fix the problems and ensure that our system is working efficiently.”
“We are grateful for the state’s support with the completion of this important city project,” Caltagirone said. “In addition to improving the system, the project will create 50 jobs, which is always good news.”
Reading is under a federal consent decree to fix problems in the city’s sewer system, which serves more than 22,000 households in Reading and bulk customers in 13 other municipalities.
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October 26, 2011
READING, Oct. 26, 2011 — A sewer project in Virginville, Richmond Township will receive significant state funding to relieve residential septic system issues, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, who was instrumental in ensuring that the project would receive appropriate financial support.
Richmond Township will receive a $1,095,351grant and a $631,849 low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The funds will be used toward the construction of a conventional sewage system in the Virginville Area of Richmond Township.
Once completed, the project will eliminate an ongoing problem with malfunctioning septic systems in the community.
“The residents of Virginville have put up with these issues for too long, and a new sewage system will provide significant relief,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that this project is receiving state support.”
Richmond Township previously received a $500,000 H2O grant to support this project through the efforts of the senator. This time, Schwank successfully urged PENNVEST to treat the Virginville Project as a stand-alone, start-up project.
“It was important that this sewer project receive its own consideration so it could receive the attention and the funding package that it deserved,” she said. “The state’s support of the project will help keep monthly service rates manageable for Virginville residents, many of whom are senior citizens with modest incomes.”
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