Edgeworth receives grant to replace aged, lead water lines

Aged, lead water lines will be replaced throughout Edgeworth and surrounding communities, thanks to funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.

The $250,905 low-interest loan and $394,095 grant will help replace pipes in community homes throughout the area, and no raise in service fees is expected, according to Christine Hurni, business manager of the municipal authority of Edgeworth.

The municipal authority met on Nov. 9 to discuss the work and monies related to the grant and decided to officially accept the PENNVEST funding, Hurni said.

“The Authority has approximately 75 lead service lines within its distribution system. Nevertheless, the water delivered to the authority’s customers meets all of the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water requirements, including compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule,” Hurni said.

Though it’s in compliance with the EPA requirements, the authority has elected to proactively remove the lead service lines from the distribution system to minimize the possibility of exposing its customers to lead in the water, Hurni said.

The existing system affects more than 2,000 customers and the project will also help fix leaking pipes.

Hurni said lines will be replaced in Edgeworth, Leetsdale and Leet, and the work will be bid out.

The project should begin in early 2022 and they project it to be completed by the end of the year.

The low-interest loan component will be paid back over a period of 20 years, according to Hurni. She said there are presently no plans to seek additional funding for the project.

John Schwend, borough manager for Edgeworth, said this is a plus for the community.

“Clean, safe drinking water is a concern nationwide, and especially in the Pittsburgh area. Edgeworth Borough council is thankful that the municipal authority applied for and received PENNVEST monies, which will advance the lead line replacement project quickly,” he said.

Through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, PENNVEST finances – through the issuance of special obligation revenue bonds – water management, solid waste disposal, sewage treatment and pollution control projects undertaken by or on behalf of private entities, according to pennvest.pa.gov.