NOTICES
PENNSYLVANIA INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AUTHORITY
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Environmental Assessment Approval for PENNVEST Funding Consideration
[52 Pa.B. 5898]
[Saturday, September 10, 2022]Scope: Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Projects for October 19, 2022, Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) Board meeting consideration
Description: PENNVEST, which administers the Commonwealth's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), is intended to be the funding source for the following projects. The Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) review of these projects, and the information received in the Environmental Report for these projects, has not identified any significant, adverse environmental impact resulting from any of the proposed projects. The Department hereby approves the Environmental Assessment for each project. If no significant comments are received during this comment period, the Environmental Assessment will be considered approved and funding for the project will be considered by PENNVEST.
To be considered, the Department must receive comments on this approval on or by Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail must include the commentator's name and address. Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment tool at www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment. Written comments can also be submitted by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov or by mail to the Policy Office, Department of Environmental Protection, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063. Use ''PENNVEST SRF-Environmental Assessment'' as the subject line in written communication.
For more information about the approval of the following Environmental Assessments or the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Programs contact Richard Wright, Bureau of Clean Water, Department of Environmental Protection, P.O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774, (717) 772-4059, riwright@pa.gov, or visit the Department's web site at www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/InfrastructureFinance/Pages/default.aspx.
Comments received during the comment period, along with the Department's comment and response document will be available on the Department's web site at www.dep. pa.gov/Business/Water/CleanWater/InfrastructureFinance/Pages/EnvironmentalReview.aspx.
Upon approval, the full list of approved projects and their costs can be found in a press release on PENNVEST's web site at www.pennvest.pa.gov.
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CWSRF Projects Being Considered:
Applicant: Borough of Ellwood City County: Lawrence Applicant Address: 525 Lawrence Avenue
Ellwood City, PA 16117Project Description: This project includes the elimination of a large portion of a deteriorating 18-inch interceptor by rerouting the flow from the 2nd Street siphon to a new pump station (PS). A new 18-inch force main will convey sewage to a manhole at the old wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) site. The existing primary lift station will convey the sewage from the old WWTP site to the existing WWTP. Approximately 4,585 linear feet of sewer is being abandoned and replaced.
Problem Description: The existing 2nd Street siphon includes both an 8-inch and 10-inch line that cross the Connoquenessing Creek. The sewage collected by the 2nd Street siphon discharges into an 18-inch main interceptor that runs alongside a steep hillside above the Connoquenessing Creek. This interceptor is inaccessible and in disrepair with exposed and cracked clay pipe, exposed and broken cast iron pipe, deteriorating joints and exposed aerial pipe on eroding stanchions with some sections of pipe no longer connected to the stanchions.
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Applicant: Jenner Area Joint Sewer Authority County: Somerset Applicant Address: 102 Saylor Street
Jennerstown, PA 15547Project Description: Jenner Area Joint Sewer Authority (JAJSA) is proposing to modify the existing sewage treatment plant by converting the existing treatment mode from contact stabilization activated sludge to combined carbon oxidation-nitrification activated sludge and to upgrade existing facilities. The project includes installing a new grinder, auger screen and grit removal as well as converting existing digester tanks to aeration tanks. Also included is the installation of new digester tanks, new emergency generator and new alkalinity feed system, chlorination and dechlorination chemical feed systems.
Problem Description: In January of 2017, the JAJSA received a notice of violation from the Department for unauthorized discharges at the WWTP. The letter noted nine violations relating to fecal coliform and ammonia nitrogen being in excess of the WWTP's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System effluent discharge limits between 2015 and 2016. The JAJSA was charged a penalty for the noted violations and in response has decided to explore options to upgrade or modify the WWTP, or both, to prevent reoccurring permit violations.
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Applicant: South Centre Township County: Columbia Applicant Address: 6260 4th Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815Project Description: This is phase 1 of a two-phase project. phase 1 consists of a new 384,000 gallon per day sewage treatment plant operating the Hybrid Bardenpho Process and utilizing ultraviolet disinfection along with associated appurtenances as well as an all gravity collection system servicing a portion of the township centered around the Village of Lime Ridge. The approximate quantities of collection system are 3,450 linear feet of 15-inch, 5,650 linear feet of 12-inch, 15,750 linear feet of 8-inch and 5,550 linear feet of 6-inch polyvinyl chloride gravity sewer and laterals along with 75 concrete manholes of varying depths. Approximately 234 residential units will be served by this phase 1 project.
Problem Description: South Centre Township (Township) is located along a major transportation corridor at the intersection of Interstate 80 and US Route 11. Public sewer service does not exist in the Township. A needs survey of on-lot systems conducted throughout the Township identified a confirmed malfunction rate of 13% and a suspected malfunction rate of 37%. Additionally, some of the six private WWTP located in the Township are nearing the end of their useful life.
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DWSRF Projects Being Considered:
Applicant: Haines-Aaronsburg Municipal Authority County: Centre Applicant Address: P.O. Box 254
Aaronsburg, PA 16820Project Description: Haines-Aaronsburg Municipal Authority's (HAMA) proposed project will be located primarily at the existing water treatment plant (WTP) in the Village of Aaronsburg, Haines Township, Centre County. The existing WTP is located on Water Gap Road. Other areas of the project include distribution main replacements throughout the distribution system in the Village of Aaronsburg; Well No. 8 miscellaneous construction near Duncan Street in the Village of Aaronsburg; and transmission main installation throughout the Village of Aaronsburg and up to the WTP. The WTP portion of the project will involve installing new microfiltration membranes to replace the existing diatomaceous earth filters.
Problem Description: In September 2020, the Department-issued HAMA a consent order and agreement to resolve deficiencies at the WTP and to continue with the full project as described in the Department-approved feasibility study. This project will resolve the identified issues at the existing WTP. The project will also allow HAMA to have more reliable sources of water with Well No. 8 coming online. The membrane microfiltration plant will allow HAMA to operate the WTP more effectively and reliably.
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Applicant: Hazleton City Authority County: Luzerne Applicant Address: 400 East Arthur Gardner Parkway
Hazleton, PA 18201Project Description: The Hazleton City Authority (HCA) proposes the construction of a finished water booster pumping station. It will be a packaged modular steel unit comprised of: an insulated building with four 100 horse power, horizontal split case type pumps, three duty and one standby, with variable frequency drives and automatic control system with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system integration. Pump capacity is specified at 1,500 gallons per minute at 173 feet total dynamic head. Additional equipment to be provided in the booster station include a magnetic flow meter, valves, lighting, ventilation and wall mounted heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. The pumping station will comply with requirements specified in the Department's Public Water Supply Manual Part II Community System Design Standards (DEP ID: 383-2125-108). An emergency standby generator is proposed for providing electrical power in the event of the loss of utility power to the station. A bypass line for the booster station is also proposed. This bypass will include a normally closed gate valve. In case of a catastrophic or other failure of the booster station, this gate valve can be opened to bypass the booster station to maintain positive system pressure until such time that the booster station (or alternate means) is placed back online. The installation of approximately 100 feet of 16—20-inch pipe is proposed for the suction and discharge lines to connect the proposed station to HCA's existing distribution system.
Problem Description: The HCA owns and operates a public water supply system, which serves the residents and commercial establishments in and around Hazle Township, Luzerne County. Based on a recent feasibility study conducted by HCA, to provide adequate supply and pressure to existing and proposed customers on the western side of HCA's distribution system, a finished water booster pumping station with all necessary appurtenances is proposed. It is to be located near the intersection of State Route 424 and State Route 309 in Hazle Township, Luzerne County. The new booster station will enable HCA to adequately operate and maintain the public water supply system and provide adequate system pressure and supply to its existing and proposed customers.
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Applicant: Linesville Borough County: Crawford Applicant Address: 103 West Erie Street
Linesville, PA 16424Project Description: Linesville Borough (Borough) proposes various updates to the existing sources of water supply, pumping systems, storage reservoirs and disinfection systems at the Penn Street and Bunday Street sites. The Penn Street project includes a new PS, disinfection unit, distribution pumps, electrical and plumbing work, emergency backup generator and new SCADA system. A new tank mixer will be installed in the airport tank. The improvements to the Borough garage site include the relocation of the main reservoir and PS out of the flood-zone area. The Homestead Avenue water line extension will provide a loop into the distribution system.
Problem Description: The Penn Street pumps are in a pit below ground-level and exposed to damage by flooding. A SCADA system has to be located in this PS to monitor Penn Street water system components. The airport tank has no mixer to prevent ice build-up that could potentially interfere with level sensors, damage the tank coating or prevent water stagnation that might lead to the formation of disinfection by-products. There is no flow meter on each source that feeds the PS and there is no backup generator. The Borough garage which contains a storage tank, built in 1908, and PS, built in 1926, is located in a flood zone exposing it to water damage including contamination and pipe, pump and electrical control damage. In addition, the structural integrity of the building could be damaged due to flooding. Finally, the distribution system is not looped.
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Applicant: Walker Township Water Association County: Centre Applicant Address: 250 Nittany Valley Drive
Bellefonte, PA 16823Project Description: Walker Township Water Association's (WTWA) proposed project will be located within Walker Township, Centre County. This project involves the construction of an above-ground booster station to convey potable water from the Snydertown pressure zone to the Hecla/Zion pressure zone, relocation of the Dietrich Road pressure reducing valve, installation of booster chlorination treatment and replacement of approximately 26,000 linear feet of water line. A flowmeter shall be installed along with two booster pumps which will have variable frequency drives. The booster chlorination treatment system shall consist of a chemical feed pump, chlorine analyzer and 55-gallon solution storage tank. Appurtenances include check valves, gate valves, piping, control panel with a SCADA system, pressure transmitter and pressure gauges.
Problem Description: The Hecla well experiences seasonal low groundwater levels that approach the upper water bearing zone, causing peaks in turbidity and unreliable capacity. The WTWA has already taken serious measures over the past 5 years to address the issue, including the implementation of a system wide SCADA project to provide constant water level and pump flow rate monitoring, installation of a low-level automatic shut-off switch and overall system operation modifications. However, the WTWA recognizes that the Hecla well remains an unreliable source to meet the future demands of the system. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is imposing a combined sub-system limit on these two wells, which was based on the reevaluated sustainable rate from the Hecla well during drought periods. The current and projected system demand within areas served by these two wells will significantly exceed the final combined sub-system withdrawal limit. The SRBC has provided a 5-year interim limit to allow the WTWA to make necessary changes.
RAMEZ ZIADEH, P.E.,
Acting Secretary
Department of Environmental ProtectionBRION JOHNSON,
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 22-1405. Filed for public inspection September 9, 2022, 9:00 a.m.]
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