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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Pallone |
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Pallone announces more than $30,000 in sewage grants
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – State Rep. John Pallone, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong, announced that Allegheny and Upper Burrell townships in Westmoreland County, and the Allegheny County Health Department, are receiving state grants to help pay for the certification of on-lot sewage systems during 2008.
Allegheny Township will receive $2,516; Upper Burrell Township will receive $1,080; and Allegheny County Health Department will receive $26,568.
"Malfunctioning sewer systems are one of the prime causes of waterborne disease. With more than half of the state's residents relying on wells and underground water for drinking, it is important that local governments have the resources they need to protect these water supplies," Pallone said.
Annual Sewage Enforcement grants are awarded through Act 357, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facility Act, which authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to reimburse local governments a portion of the cost of assuring that new and repaired on-lot sewage systems are properly sited, designed, permitted and inspected.
There are more than 1 million on-lot septic systems in Pennsylvania serving an estimated 3.7 million people.