Investing In Our Communities

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that approximately $277 billion of capital spending will be needed across the nation between 2003 and 2022 to replace aging water infrastructure and comply with stricter water quality standards. The USEPA also estimates that approximately $388 billion will be needed between 2000 and 2019 to replace aging wastewater infrastructure. We intend to invest capital prudently to enable us to continue to provide essential services to our regulated water and wastewater utility customers. Investing in our infrastructure is critical to our mission of serving our customers quality and reliable water and wastewater service. 

We have a strong and ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure and keeping it updated. We are committed to delivering excellent service that our customers depend upon at an exceptional value. Tap water costs about a penny a gallon - a remarkable value compared to any other utilities today. With few exceptions, water service remains the lowest utility bill that a household will pay.

In fact, in Pennsylvania alone, we have invested more than $790 million since 2000 to improve service to our customers. Every year, we deliver system improvements to the communities we serve – from extending water mains to replacing meters and hydrants to upgrading plant equipment. These investments will help us continue to provide high quality water and wastewater service. 

Examples of projects completed across the state in recent years:

• replacing two treatment plants with one state-of-the-art facility serving Cumberland and York Counties
• replacing more than 260 miles of pipeline. This included replacing more than 1,100 feet of aging pipe in Yardley, 1,400 feet of 24-inch water main across the Susquehanna River from Pittston to West Pittston and nearly 2,700 feet of 12-inch pipe in Plainfield Township.
• building new storage facilities to ensure reliability of service
• constructing improvements to our treatment plants
• installing pump stations to improve water pressure
• enhancing municipal fire service by installing new or replacement fire hydrants
• installing new or replacement customer meters
• implementing or upgrading the company's monitoring control systems, which enables plant operations and distribution facilities to be monitored from a centralized location

Pennsylvania American Water Pipeline Improvements Underway

Pennsylvania American Water is committed to providing high-quality, reliable water service to our customers. This requires continually investing in our treatment and distribution facilities. Below are system improvements currently underway. These projects seek to improve the reliability of water service to the area.

Butler, Butler County: Starting the week of August 25, Pennsylvania American Water will begin work on a $450,000 project to replace approximately 1,300 feet of aging steel pipe with new ductile iron water main along Federal Street, between North Washington and Broad streets. The company also will be replacing approximately 850 feet of cast iron main along the north and south sides of West Diamond Street, between South Washington and South Main streets. Weather permitting, the proposed completion date, including paving restoration, is anticipated for early spring of 2009. Read more about it.

Derry Township, Dauphin County: Starting the week of August 25, we will be replacing nearly 3,300 feet of aging cast iron and galvanized steel pipe with new ductile iron water main along East Caracas Avenue and Trinidad Avenue. The cost of pipe upgrades is approximately $500,000. Weather permitting, it is anticipated that the project, including final paving restoration, will be completed by the end of November. Read more about it.

Hanover and Collier Townships: Pennsylvania American Water is in the process of installing a combined five miles of pipe to provide public water service and improved fire protection to 70 customers in Hanover, Washington County, and Collier Township, Allegheny County. Pennsylvania American Water secured approximately $2.4 million in low-interest financing from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to install the pipelines. Both projects will enable the company to bring public water service to families who currently depend on unreliable private wells, springs and cisterns for water. Click here, for more information on Hanover Township and Collier Township.