The State of Pennsylvania has announced a historic $547.1 million investment for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects across 23 counties — the largest single-round of funding ever awarded by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
The initiative will support 30 projects to replace lead service lines, modernize aging facilities, enhance treatment capacity, and mitigate contaminants, ensuring that communities across the state have access to clean, reliable water systems.
According to Robert Boos, Executive Director of PENNVEST, demand for funding has surged in recent years. “In just the past five years, PENNVEST has seen an 83% increase in demand for water infrastructure funding — a clear sign of the need for continued investment across Pennsylvania. Our revolving loan model ensures these projects are sustainable for the long term — as loans are repaid, those funds are recycled to support future projects.”
This record round of investment combines state and federal sources, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), EPA Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, Growing Greener, and Marcellus Legacy funds. Many of the projects also integrate clean energy and efficiency improvements, such as solar power, hydropower, and anaerobic digesters, aligning with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and advancing the state’s long-term sustainability goals. The funding mix includes both loans and grants, the latter defined as “principal forgiveness loans” — financial support that does not require repayment.
Major projects strengthening Pennsylvania’s water future
- Lancaster Area Sewer Authority will receive $160 million to upgrade the Blue Rock Water Resource Recovery Facility, expanding treatment capacity and improving nutrient removal to protect the Susquehanna River basin.
- In Pittsburgh, the Water & Sewer Authority will receive $70.3 million to replace more than 58,000 feet of aging small-diameter mains, reducing leaks and ensuring reliable service, along with an additional $7.3 million in funding for a lead service line replacement project that will eliminate over 1,000 public and private lead connections, improving water quality and protecting public health.
- The City of Philadelphia will benefit from a $47.6 million investment to construct a new 21-million-gallon-per-day pump station at George’s Hill Reservoir and upgrades to the Belmont station, ensuring operational reliability and improved emergency capacity.
- The Western Berks Water Authority has been awarded $41 million (a loan and grant combination) to modernize its treatment plant with new filtration systems, upgraded chemical handling, and digital control infrastructure.
- Aqua Pennsylvania, serving the community of Media in Delaware County, will receive $35 million to construct a granular-activated carbon treatment system to remove PFAS compounds from drinking water.
These projects, representing over 60 percent of total funding, demonstrate the scale of investment in Pennsylvania’s water future, targeting the largest urban and regional systems to maximize public health and environmental impact.
Beyond the flagship initiatives, dozens of smaller projects will strengthen resilience and address local challenges. In Erie, more than 1,000 lead service lines will be replaced, while in Clarion County, new agricultural best management practices will reduce nutrient runoff and sediment pollution in nearby waterways. Together, these efforts reflect a broader global priority — improving water quality, enhancing resource efficiency, and protecting communities against emerging contaminants.
PENNVEST’s revolving loan fund remains a model for sustainable water financing, reinvesting repayments to generate continuous support for future projects. This investment round highlights how coordinated state and federal efforts can modernize legacy systems, enhance climate resilience, and deliver clean, safe water to millions of people.
