This agreement funds a capitalization grant for the recipient's clean water state revolving fund program with a primary purpose to address emerging contaminants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded $8.881 million in formula grant funding to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest) on July 1, 2025, under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program (CFDA 66.458). This capitalization grant establishes a long-term financing mechanism through which Pennvest provides low-interest loans to subrecipients for planning, design, and construction of water quality improvement projects with a primary focus on addressing emerging contaminants. Emerging contaminants include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, microplastics, and other substances that pose newly identified or re-emerging risks to human health and the environment.

Through this funding mechanism, Pennvest administers financing to eligible subrecipients for costs permitted under Section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act, with deliverables including project planning, design, and construction activities. One identified subrecipient, the Derry Township Municipal Authority, will utilize funds to install a biosolids drying and gasification system at its Clearwater Road Wastewater Treatment Plant to produce Class A dried biosolids and eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The grant's ultimate completion date is September 30, 2032, and the anticipated outcomes are improved and protected water quality throughout Pennsylvania, with direct benefits to citizens across the Commonwealth.

Emerging contaminants refer to substances and microorganisms, including manufactured or naturally occurring physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, which are known or anticipated in the environment, that may pose newly identified or RE-emerging risks to human health, aquatic life, or the environment. These substances, microorganisms or materials can include many different types of natural or manufactured chemicals and substances - such as those in some compounds of personal care products, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics.activities:the recipients of these funds will provide low interest financing to numerous subrecipients for costs eligible under section 603(C) of the clean water act, with the primary purpose of addressing emerging contaminants.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated deliverables include financing planning, design, and construction of eligible water quality improvement and protection projects. The expected outcomes are to improve and protect water quality with an emphasis on emerging contaminants. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the commonwealth.