HARRISBURG – Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) today announced more than $14.5 million in Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) funding for Saegertown Borough and the City of Titusville for water treatment system improvements.
Saegertown Borough has secured more than $12.6 million in funding to install a polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment system. The borough has been collaborating with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since 2020, when elevated PFAS levels were detected in wells six and seven, rendering them unusable. In response, the borough developed a plan to route all wells to a newly proposed centralized PFAS treatment facility, ensuring safer drinking water for the community.
The PENNVEST funding will support the construction of a 5,000-square-foot filtration building, equipped with a manganese greensand filtration system and nine high-pressure granular-activated carbon vessels to remove PFAS. This project will serve more than 300 households, local businesses, a 250-bed nursing facility and the Crawford County Correctional Facility, significantly improving water quality in the area.
“Having worked closely with Saegertown Borough since the PFAS problem was discovered, everyone involved knows how important this PENNVEST funding is to bring these wells back into compliance, helping the overall capacity, and the public safety for the residents and businesses served,” said Brooks. “This significant investment will help save ratepayers from what could have resulted in a 159% rate increase to fully rectify the situation.”
The City of Titusville also received a $2 million low-interest loan to fund new test and production wells, which will provide essential water quality data for the construction of a modern water treatment plant next to the outdated facility built in 1902. This system serves around 2,000 households in Titusville and Oil Creek Township, ensuring improved water quality for the community.
“This vital funding for the City of Titusville will significantly enhance water quality and ensure the city meets modern standards and regulatory requirements,” said Brooks. “The project will have a direct impact on local employers in Titusville and neighboring municipalities, helping to retain hundreds of jobs and support the community’s economic stability.”
PENNVEST is an independent state agency that provides financial assistance for sewer, storm water and drinking water projects in communities across the commonwealth.
CONTACT: Adam Gingrich, 717-787-1322