EPA funds safe, dependable water for Somerset County residents

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Apr. 20, 2009 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has awarded $1,993,700 to Somerset County Pa., to provide additional funding for the Quemahoning Reservoir Water Supply Project.

The Quemahoning Reservoir Water Supply Project will supply water to the boroughs and townships between the Quemahoning Reservoir and Somerset, Pa.

Somerset County has experienced severe water supply shortages during droughts. This project will enable the Somerset County General Authority to provide a drought resilient, safe drinking water supply to 18,000 consumers in central Somerset County.

The project includes constructing storage tanks, a filtration plant, pumps, and a transmission main to service the boroughs and townships between the Quemahoning Reservoir and Somerset, Pennsylvania.

An EPA grant of $723,200 in Aug. 2008 funded two pumping stations. This current funding is the second of two grants which total $2,656,900. Construction began in 2008. The additional grant is necessary to provide funding for the water treatment plant building, water filtration units, and pumping stations.

The project total cost is $4,830,728. The balance of the project costs will be financed by other federal, state, and local funding.

>> More information about financial assistance for water infrastructure

###