$8.8M in covid funds earmarked for water, sewer projects in Westmoreland
Jun. 23—As many as 50 farms and other properties in East Huntingdon could have municipal water service this fall when water lines are extended to tap into the municipal system.
It's a project that might never have happened without funding without help from Westmoreland County, according to East Huntingdon Supervisor Joel Suter.
"It's something we looked at for a number of years and this money was available so that's why we did it," Suter said.
Westmoreland commissioners this week awarded 43 grants totaling nearly $8.8 million for water and sewer system enhancements using a portion of the $105.3 million in American Rescue Plan funds the county received from the federal government in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Commissioners last summer set aside up to $10 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects.
More than $55 million of the county's covid funds have been allocated for projects that include technology upgrades, reconstruction of the underground parking garage at the courthouse, removal of blight, education enhancements and social service programs. The county has to allocate all American Rescue Plan funds by the end of 2024 and spend the money before the start of 2027.
"We want to get this money out there to municipalities to help them. We are priming this county for future generations to move here," said Commissioner Sean Kertes.
The water and sewer grant program was first pitched by commissioners last summer and applications for funding had to be submitted by the end of October. The county hired a private consultant to evaluate funding. Meghan McCandless, the county's finance director, said more than $188 million was sought by local municipalities.
Grants were expected to be capped at $250,000 with municipalities required to provide matching funds of 25% for each project. Commissioners exceeded the grant caps for five projects: the water line extension in East Huntingdon, stormwater sewer improvements in Jeannette, stormwater sewer installation in Unity, sewer enhancements in New Kensington and water line upgrades in South Huntingdon. Municipal matches were required to be has high 50% for projects that exceeded the cap, McCandless said.
In East Huntingdon, the grant will pay to extend water lines along Creek and Chaintown roads. The project is expected help property owners who for several years complained about poor water quality and inadequate local wells, according to the township's application.
Water lines will be extended to tap into service provided by the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.
"We started this two weeks ago and expect it to be completed this fall. We anticipated we would get the money," Suter said of the $555,175 grant, the largest awarded by commissioners.
The municipal authority, which is the largest water provider in Westmoreland County, is serving as the manager of East Huntingdon's water line extension and assisted other municipalities including Bell, Penn and South Huntingdon townships and Laurel Mountain with grant applications for water projects, according to MAWC business manager Brian Hohman.
Unity applied for two grants and was awarded more than $353,000 to a install stormwater sewer at Berkey Acres to correct flooding issues, said Supervisor Mike O'Barto.
"All prices have skyrocketed since covid so anytime we can get free money to help with these projects, we will use it to help our homeowners. It's something we wouldn't be able to do otherwise," O'Barto said.
Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich by email at rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .
