HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) announced $8.4 million in state funding has been approved to improve the reliability of the water system in Washington Township, Franklin County.
“Residents want to know the water will flow when they turn on their faucets,” Mastriano said. “These state dollars will ensure Washington Township residents have reliable access to clean water. The state support for this project will reduce the cost and protect customers against expensive rate increases.”
The Washington Township Municipal Authority water system is susceptible to service interruptions that can last several days.
The system’s Brookdale Water Treatment Plant works with three water storage tanks – the Green Ridge tank, Pine Hill tank and Tall tank. When there is a spike in demand – due to a fire, main break or other event – the Green Ridge tank water level is reduced. When the water level is too low, the booster pump station adjacent to the Green Ridge tank cannot pump water up to the Tall tank. The water level in the Tall tank decreases and customers begin to lose water service. Depending on how long it takes to refill the Green Ridge tank and Tall tank, customers may go without service for days.
The state dollars will be used to install approximately 9,700 feet of new ductile iron 12-inch diameter water main between the Brookdale Water Treatment Plant and the Pine Hill tank. The Green Ridge tank will be decommissioned and the Green Ridge booster pumping station will be relocated to the Pine Hill tank. Approximately 4,800 feet of new 12-inch diameter water main will be installed between the new Pine Hill booster pumping station and the distribution system that feeds the Tall tank.
The $8.4 million in state funding is being provided as a low-interest loan. The funding was approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). PENNVEST is an independent agency of the commonwealth providing financial assistance to fund construction of drinking water, sewer and stormwater projects in communities throughout Pennsylvania.
