HARRISBURG – Houtzdale borough won approval Tuesday on a $2.4 million grant-and-loan package from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure
Investment Authority to address overload problems at its sewage-treatment plant.
“The borough is under a consent order to fix backup and overflow problems that have caused raw sewage to be discharged into public
areas,” said Rep. Camille “Bud” George, a PENNVEST board member. “The grant and loan will enable the borough to implement improvements.”
The seven-month project, expected to start next March, calls for replacing 25,000 feet of sewer lines and residential laterals. Brick
manholes also will be repaired. The system serves 388 households.
A $374,800 grant will be buttressed by a $2,050,200 loan at 1 percent interest for 30 years.
“Peak flows to the borough’s treatment plant have exceeded almost three times the facility’s permitted capacity,” Rep. George said. “The upgrade
will help to stop the discharges and will protect Beaver Run, which is classified as a wild trout stream.”