Since 2018, we've invested more than $700 million to renew critical drinking water infrastructure, remove lead service lines, construct new stormwater infrastructure, and rehabilitate century-old sewer mains.
To accelerate critical projects while also reducing the cost to ratepayers, PWSA is committed to the steadfast pursuit of external funding from state and federal sources.
As a result, we've secured more than $150 million in new low-interest loans and $22 million in grant funding in 2023 from a mix of these programs. In fact, since 2018, we’ve received more than $645 million in low-interest loans and grants from one program in particular, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), to support our capital program.
In 2023, we received a $52.4 million loan from the U.S. EPA for Water Reliability Plan projects, our once-in-a-generation water distribution renewal and improvement projects. Last year, we completed the rehabilitation of a large-diameter water distribution pipe known as Rising Main 4. Earlier this year, we began construction on the Highland Reservoir Pump Station – our first new major facility project in more than 20 years.
These projects will dramatically improve water service reliability for approximately two-thirds of our customers – meaning that customers can expect fewer service interruptions and low pressure that have caused precautionary boil water advisories in the past.
As a publicly owned and operated water authority, every dollar we receive is reinvested back into our water system. For all of us here at PWSA, it’s about service not profit – we don’t have shareholders and don’t generate a profit. The improvements we’re making today will provide current and future generations of customers with safe, high-quality water services.