PAWC expanding water service in area
Pennsylvania American Water has agreed to extend its lines into numerous underserved areas of Washington County, the company announced Friday.
The company said the timeline for construction and exact number of customers who will be served won’t be determined until earlier next year, but it will spend nearly $10 million to build the water main extensions to parts of Amwell, Buffalo, Cecil, Chartiers, Jefferson, Mt. Pleasant, North Strabane and Smith townships. The project is expected to be completed by June 2015.
“The engineering team is still working to establish a timeline, and we’re still evaluating the extensions and service lines,” company spokeswoman Josephine Posti said.
State Rep. Jesse White, whose legislative district contains most of the homes that will be receiving city water, lauded the agreement.
“I look forward to raising our glasses of water and toasting to all of the hard work that made it possible,” White said in a news release. “The importance of renewing our commitment to infrastructure investment in Pennsylvania, in this case with access to clean, fresh water for area residents, can never be understated.”
The expansion is part of a settlement recently negotiated with the state Public Utility Commission, which is requiring the water company to expand its infrastructure as part of its request to increase rates.
The settlement also will lower the wastewater bills for the 1,220 people living in Claysville. Posti said the wastewater charge will be reduced by about 36 percent, meaning an average customer who uses just under 4,000 gallons a month will pay about $33 less per month.
The following areas are included on the water project’s list: Amwell Township: Courson Hill Road, and Bash and Lewis lanes; Buffalo Township: Crothers Station, Green Valley, Hathaway, Julian, Mel Blount, North Sunset Beach and Wigington roads; Cecil Township: Ciotti Lane and Georgetown and King roads; Chartiers Township: Gretna and McConnells Mills roads, Myers Lane and Washington Avenue; Jefferson Township: Bert and Meadowcroft roads, Geno Lane, and Birch, Oak, Pine and Wood streets; Mt. Pleasant Township: Baker and Walnut roads, and Washington Avenue; North Strabane Township: Linden Creek and Cheslock roads; Smith Township: Dinsmore and Joe Cain roads.
White said this settlement will save residents thousands of dollars in tap-in fees. “We have helped literally thousands of constituents in the district get water service over the past seven years, and although it’s a very long and tedious process, it always feels good to get to this point where water service will become a reality for them,” White said.