The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program is a joint collaboration between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, EPA, and USDA and provides financial assistance to grassroots partnerships for … Read more
Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority utilized financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to restore 600 feet of streambank, protecting water quality from both nonpoint and point source pollution.
Project Location:
West Liberty Street in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, PA
Contact:
Jeff Colella, Stormwater Division Manager, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (jeff.colella@wvsa.net)
Funding Programs:
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Project Description
Pennsylvania’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program is administered by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), which has financed water infrastructure projects that protect source waters from both nonpoint and point sources of pollution. The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority received financing through PENNVEST to restore the Spring Run streambank to improve stormwater management. The length of stream restoration is approximately 600 feet from where Spring Run crosses under West Liberty Street to where the stream crosses under an existing railroad embankment just prior to draining into Solomon Creek.
Funding Breakdown
- The final price was $452,837.95 Funding for the construction came from PENNVEST, the state agency that administers the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Revolving loan fund money was used.
Interview
What advice would you have for someone else applying to this?
Ensure you maintain open and consistent communication with your loan specialist throughout the entire process. This collaboration will help you navigate any complexities and ensure that all necessary documentation and requirements are addressed promptly. Additionally, take the time to prepare a comprehensive and detailed list of projects that require funding.
What challenges did you come across and how did you navigate them?
The main challenge with these projects is gaining the property owner’s trust and convincing them the improvements will benefit their property. Clear communication, addressing concerns, and demonstrating tangible benefits are key to securing their buy-in and moving the project forward.
What were the areas of support that helped you in the process (contractor, grant admin, project ID/planning, education, project design)?
We have a strong support team at Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority combined with the expertise of the loan specialist. For the projects we had our design engineer and myself (Stormwater Management Division Manager) making the application for the PENNVEST Loan. Also, we had our attorney involved to review all the documents prior to closing.
Did/do you have a budget and/or plans for monitoring and measuring project success?
We have a long-term plan established, which is incorporated into the stormwater division’s annual budget. Additionally, WVSA will earn stormwater MS4 permit credits on behalf of 31 municipalities in the Wyoming Valley.
Anything else you’d like to share?
While the loan process may take time, the projects it funds create meaningful and lasting benefits for the communities they serve, at the lowest cost to our ratepayers.
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