We're investing in the Scranton area - upgrading infrastructure and partnering locally to keep life flowing. Take a look at what's happening near you.
Improving Infrastructure
Following the acquisition, Pennsylvania American Water assumed responsibility for the Consent Order and LTCP, completing all projects outlined in the first phase and accelerating second phase projects ahead of schedule using extensive hydraulic modeling and multi-sensor investigation technology. Pennsylvania American Water has replaced or rehabilitated more than 60,000 feet of sewer main, including numerous manholes and catch basins. Pennsylvania American Water has improved on the Consent Order’s mandated reduction in combined sewer overflows (CSOs) by nearly 30 percent through the first two phases of the LTCP, which were completed a year ahead of schedule, and has begun the third phase of the plan to achieve further CSO reduction. Learn more about our statewide infrastructure investment efforts at pennsylvaniaamwater.com/infrastructure.
Here are just a local few highlights:
Background
Like many Pennsylvania municipalities, the Scranton Sewer Authority struggled to finance necessary wastewater infrastructure improvement to comply with stringent regulatory requirements while maintaining affordability. As a result, in 2013, Scranton Sewer Authority entered into a Consent Order and Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandating $140 million in upgrades to the system to achieve environmental compliance. Under the agreement, SSA historically faced financial penalties for a number of violations ranging from reporting failures and air quality violations to overflows. Over the years, SSA paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
As a result, they looked to Pennsylvania American Water for a long-term financial and operational solution that could maximize community benefit. Pennsylvania American Water was already the public water service provider for these communities and brought both the technical expertise and financial resources to meet SSA’s unique challenges, provide a long-term wastewater solution, and maintain reasonable rates for customers.
In December 2016, Pennsylvania American Water acquired the wastewater system assets of Scranton Sewer Authority (SSA) – a Combined Sewer System that provides wastewater service to approximately 30,000 customers in Scranton and Dunmore. The transaction represented one of the largest wastewater acquisitions in the company’s history.
Recent Updates
The American Water Charitable Foundation recently announced several grants throughout Pennsylvania, including three recipients in NEPA. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lehman Sanctuary and Pennsylvania Environmental Council all received grants for community engagement projects to educate residents on watershed protection. Learn more about this year’s grant recipients.
We recently joined with partners to announce the completion of our first-ever conservation easement, which will protect 220 acres of land around our Huntsville Reservoir in Luzerne County, and provides a new public access area and nature trail for the community to enjoy! For more information about this public access area, click here.