The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is awarding over $6.4 million to 19 projects to improve water availability and quality during critical low flow periods. These projects are estimated to deliver nearly 1.5 billion gallons of water savings a year, including the following: 

• Walker Township Water Association was awarded $272,000 to upgrade leak detection equipment, aiming to result in a loss reduction of 34,500 gallons per day, benefiting Marion, Spring, and Walker Townships in Centre County. 

• Spring Creek Watershed Commission will use $41,640 in grant funds for a regenerative stormwater management project at Tom Tudek Memorial Park, located in Ferguson Township, Centre County. 

• Manheim Area Water and Sewer Authority will use $116,831.42 to install meters enabling rapid leak detection, eliminating an estimated 21 million gallons per year of uncontrolled water loss in portions of Penn and Rapho Townships in Lancaster County. 

• Chester Water Authority was awarded $478,400 to enhance the reliability and usability of existing water storage at the Octoraro Reservoir by installing aeration units on each tributary feeding the reservoir. This project will reduce withdrawals for consumptive use during low-flow periods, promoting drought resilience primarily impacting Colerain, Little Britain, and Sadsbury townships in Lancaster County, and West Nottingham and Upper Oxford townships in Chester County. 

Click here to read the press release and all awarded projects.