Governor Josh Shapiro recently said, “Investing in Pennsylvania’s infrastructure is commonsense.” Having spent my career working to help modernize drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to protect public health, I couldn’t agree more.
Wastewater service isn’t just a utility – it is foundational for thriving communities and a healthy environment. So, it’s good news that Pennsylvania American Water has received new funds from the Shapiro Administration’s Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to maintain and update Exeter Township’s wastewater infrastructure. The $2.1 million low-interest PENNVEST loan will support urgent repairs and upgrades, ensuring safe, reliable wastewater service while keeping costs manageable for Exeter residents.
Since 2019, Pennsylvania American Water has worked hard to turn around Exeter’s wastewater system, where we’ve invested more than $20 million to date. And we’re committed to doing even more, with $46 million in planned improvements over the next five years. Altogether, our $66 million investment will serve the Exeter Township community by protecting the area’s watersheds, improving reliability and expanding the infrastructure to accommodate heavy rains and support Exeter’s continued growth.
Exeter’s wastewater system has undergone a dramatic, needed transformation in recent years. The recent PENNVEST loan is helping to accelerate our efforts to address aging infrastructure and ensure environmental compliance.
Some residents may recall that in 2018, Exeter Township faced a critical challenge when a severe storm led to a four-million-gallon discharge of untreated sewage into the Schuylkill River. This incident posed a threat to drinking water sources for downstream communities in Montgomery and Chester counties. Consequently, the Department of Environmental Protection placed Exeter’s wastewater system under a consent order, mandating a series of upgrades to prevent similar environmental tragedies in the future.
The consent order, along with increasingly strict state and federal wastewater regulations, stretched Exeter’s budget to its limit. After extensive deliberation, the township opted to sell its wastewater system to Pennsylvania American Water in 2019. The sale proceeds, amounting to $93.5 million, were used to pay off township debts, support pension funds and provide tax relief to residents, setting the stage for a financially sustainable path forward.
Our commitment to reliable wastewater and water services extends beyond Exeter Township to benefit communities throughout Berks County and around the commonwealth. In Berks County alone, we serve over 63,000 people, including 29,000 residents in our Glen Alsace and Exeter districts.
Statewide, Pennsylvania American Water has spent more than $2.3 billion in capital construction over the last five years, with an expected investment of $600 to $660 million annually going forward to continue modernizing Pennsylvania’s water infrastructure. These efforts are essential for ensuring safe, high-quality water for all Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania American Water is proud of our stewardship of this critical service for Berks County, and the recent PENNVEST loan is one more piece of good news for its residents. For more information about our ongoing projects and investments in Exeter Township, visit our website.