FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/07/04
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NEW
GRANT PROGRAM PROTECTS PENNSYLVANIA'S ENVIRONMENT
FUNDS TARGET INNOVATIVE WATER, WASTEWATER TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS
State Senator John Pippy, R-37th District, announced today that the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has created a $3
million grant program to help local governments, municipal authorities and
school districts make improvements to their water systems and sewage
facilities using new and innovative technologies. The grants will be
awarded under the Commonwealth's Growing Greener program.
"These grants will give municipalities the resources to use new
technologies to improve water and wastewater facilities," said Senator
Pippy. "This money will help Pennsylvania protect its natural resources by
conserving water, preventing pollution and reducing energy consumption
statewide."
Senator Pippy said grants of up to $500,000 are available for physical
improvements to existing drinking water and sewage treatment facilities.
Much of the new or innovative technology proposed in the program is
commercially available, but is not yet widely used in Pennsylvania, the
senator added.
According to DEP, preference will be given to the following new or
innovative projects: treatment of groundwater under the direct influence
of surface water; holistic approaches to treatment of drinking water for
nitrates and other mobile contaminants to ensure safety with respect to
potential current and future risks; innovative construction methods and
materials to correct infiltration and inflow problems in sanitary and
combined sewer collection and conveyance systems; and advanced wastewater
treatment for nutrient removal in watersheds where nutrient removal has
been identified by DEP as a priority.
Grant applications are available on the DEP website:
www.dep.state.pa.us The
deadline to apply is June 30.
