HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell said that the commonwealth is making the critical investments necessary to ensure the safety of Pennsylvania’s drinking water supplies.
In Clearfield County, the Central Pennsylvania Sewage Agency was granted $16,537.12
One of those investments, he said, is the more than $2.6 million in sewage facilities enforcement grants approved today that will help 74 municipalities enforce on-lot sewage system requirements. The grants reimburse local governments for costs associated with permitting these systems.
“Malfunctioning sewage systems are one of the leading causes of waterborne illnesses in Pennsylvania,” Rendell said. “Helping municipalities manage our water resources effectively is imperative to providing safe, clean and reliable water supplies, which are critical to improving the quality of life in Pennsylvania and growing our economy.”
The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, known as Act 537, requires municipalities – either individually or as members of multi-municipal sewage agencies – to enforce on-lot sewage system requirements. Requirements include evaluating and permitting new systems, properly repairing malfunctioning systems, and investigating complaints in a timely manner.
Act 537 authorizes DEP to reimburse local governments for up to 85 percent of the annual costs associated with this work. These duties are carried out by sewage enforcement officers, who must pass a state-administered test in order to be certified by a state board, are responsible for making sure that new and repaired on-lot systems are properly sited, designed, permitted and inspected.
For more information on sewage facilities enforcement grants, visit here, keyword: Act 537.