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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