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

Projects Currently Underway

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.