Rescue Plan Act comes to the aid of Tarentum's failing water system, other area projects

Tarentum officials were praying for a miracle to salvage the borough’s failing water distribution system.

On Tuesday, they got one.

The borough is among 15 Alle-Kiski Valley municipalities and water authorities to split nearly $7 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

“We believe that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and this grant continues to help make that a reality for our municipality and others who utilize or purchase water from the borough,” Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said.

Tarentum’s water distribution system is in such disrepair that it’s expected to cost $15 million to fix, according to a report from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Council approved a rate hike this month for borough customers and for bulk purchases by East Deer to recoup some money to fix the waterlines that are more than 100 years old.

In Tuesday’s grant announcement, the borough was awarded $1.3 million, which will help upgrade mechanical equipment at the plant and construct a storage tank to alleviate water pressure issues.

“The support provides the financial resources needed and reaffirms the importance and urgency of addressing water-related issues in our region,” Boddorf said.

Money will come through the H20 PA — Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water program.

The Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary Authority also will receive $1 million for upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant in East Deer, and the Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority will get $1.6 million for waterline replacements along Bull Creek Road in Fawn.

Elsewhere in the Valley, the following groups were awarded money through the PA Small Water and Sewer Program:

• Cheswick — about $400,600 for the replacement of the waterline along North Highland Avenue.

• East Deer — about $215,000 for the replacement of a water main.

• Harmar — about $168,000 for the relining of sanitary sewer lines.

• Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority — $100,000 for sewer lining at multiple locations of its sanitary sewer system in Indiana Township, Harmar, Richland, Hampton and West Deer.

• Etna — about $200,000 to separate stormwater from a combined sewer line.

• Ross — about $65,500 for the replacement of sanitary sewer lines.

• Brackenridge — about $340,000 to replace the storm sewer along Morgan Street.

• Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority — about $273,000 for a waterline extension along Bakerstown Road in Fawn.

• Springdale — about $386,000 to replace the waterline along North Street.

• Harrison — about $408,000 for improvements to its stormwater conveyance system.

• Harrison Township Water Authority — $425,000 for the construction of a water distribution system.

Harrison Township Manager Amy Rockwell said the Upper Allegheny Valley is fortunate to have received multiple awards.

“This support makes us stronger as both a region and our respective communities,” Rockwell said.

The township commissioners will spend the grant to address persistent drainage issues on Harbison Street caused by underground springs that undermine the integrity of the street.

Harbison Street also lacks a stormwater system to address drainage issues resulting in an almost complete deterioration of the street, Rockwell said.

“This award will allow the township to install an appropriately sized stormwater system, repair and prepare for reconstruction of the street,” she said. “Residents along this stretch of road have been looking for relief from these issues.”

The township will pay a match of about $71,000.

State Sen. Lindsey Williams, whose 38th District includes the impacted communities, previously hosted a public hearing on water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure issues facing Pennsylvania communities. She said she lobbied for money to make sure the state invested in these kinds of projects.

“The impact of the climate crisis is real, and we need real, substantive investments in our aging water infrastructure systems to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to clean and safe water,” she said.