—
A groundbreaking regional water connection between Johnstown and Ligonier Borough will move forward after officials landed a key $9.8 million loan.
First proposed in early 2009, the link between Greater Johnstown Water Authority and Westmoreland County Municipal Authority now can proceed beyond the planning stage.
But, since the project involves running miles of a new pipeline over Laurel Ridge to connect two counties, major construction work will have to wait until the coming winter’s snows have melted.
“We’ll start in the spring,” said Ed Cernic Sr., who chairs the Johnstown authority’s board.
Both authorities are managed by Resource Development and Management Inc., better known as RDM.
And RDM administrators have identified a pressing need on both sides of the ridge: Officials have said the future of Ligonier Borough’s water supply is tenuous, while the Greater Johnstown system boasts much more supply than current demand.
The plan is to construct a water line, a pumping station and storage tanks to send 400,000 to 600,000 gallons daily from Greater Johnstown to Ligonier.
“We want to make sure we’re generating enough sales of water that cover the costs on our end, so that it’s no burden on the present customer base,” said Ed Schmitt of Gibson-Thomas Engineering Co., the Greater Johnstown authority’s engineering firm.
As for Ligonier, “they do need additional supply, and everyone’s looking to the future,” Schmitt said.
Greater Johnstown officials expect to pick up about
1,400 customers, the vast majority in Ligonier Borough.
“We’re not picking up the Ligonier Township system,” Schmitt said.
“They have their own system, and they’re going to maintain that.”
He added that there is an opportunity for future, further growth of Greater Johnstown’s customer base in Westmoreland County.
Project advocates had said the regional nature of the project would make it attractive for those who distribute state and federal funding.
That appears to be true, as Greater Johnstown Water Authority officials recently learned of the $9.8 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, known as PENNVEST.
“It’s really good news,” Cernic said.
It is a 20-year loan with a
1-percent interest rate for the first five years and a 1.5-percent rate for the remainder.
“With that kind of money, we have the ability to put the project together,” Schmitt said.
Officials also have applied for additional grant money from the state and federal governments.
“Right now, anything else we get will make the project that much more cost-effective,” Schmitt said.
The state Department of Environmental Protection already has approved a permit for the new pipeline. Schmitt said officials plan to now proceed with right-of-way acquisitions.
“Everybody’s committed to make it work,” Schmitt said.
Local News
Loan boosts water project
Would connect Johnstown and Ligonier Borough
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
