HARRISBURG, October 23, 2012 – - State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) today announced that a $1.65 million low-interest loan to fund improvements to the sewer system in West Pittston Borough has been approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
“If this project was left unaddressed, there would have been serious public health and environmental consequences down the road caused by the discharge of raw sewage into basements, streets and the Susquehanna River,” Yudichak said. “This project is among the top priorities for West Pittston Borough and I thank the PENNVEST board for recognizing the urgency of this project and making this low-interest loan available.”
The loan, which has a 1 percent interest rate, will be used to fund the replacement of 3,650 feet of 18” sewer pipe, 2,000 feet of storm sewer pipe, manholes, inlets and lateral pipes along Susquehanna Ave., York Ave., and Park St. in West Pittston. The current combined sewer lines are undersized and misaligned, causing back-up of raw sewage into basements and also street flooding.
“This is a very important project for the public health and environmental health of West Pittston,” West Pittston Mayor Tony Denisco added.
The project will also include flushing the remaining portions of the existing sewer system. This process will be video documented to identify any other major damages to the sewer system. Any major damages found will also be repaired.
Yudichak said that the project is expected to create 20 construction jobs for local residents. This project is necessary to bring this part of the sewer system into compliance with state plumbing and environmental codes.
# # #