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EPA recognizes Pa. water company for upgrades to Bristol Borough water facility

Release Date: 04/17/2007
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, [email protected], 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – (April 17, 2007) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the Aqua Pennsylvania water company for efficiently using federal funding to upgrade the Bristol Borough drinking water treatment facility in Bucks County, Pa.

“Aqua Pennsylvania represents an outstanding example of how a private utility can make dramatic improvements to support public health needs of the communities they serve,” said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPAs mid-Atlantic region.

The Bristol drinking water treatment facility has been in operation since 1874. Aqua Pennsylvania, an independent company, purchased the facility in 1996 and obtained a loan to make upgrades. Improvements included automating the filters and controls, installing equipment to remove solids from the water, upgrading chlorination and electrical systems, integrating a central computer system, and replacing leaking roofs. The project reduced the potential for filter failure and discharge of contaminants and eliminated structural safety hazards.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) selected Aqua Pennsylvania to receive EPAs 2006 Award for Sustainable Public Health Protection. The award is presented to water systems that most effectively and efficiently use funding from the EPAs Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program.

The EPA funding program is an innovative method of financing drinking water projects. EPA provides a grant to each state, and states use the funds to provide low-interest loans for drinking water projects. These projects support the Safe Drinking Water Act by protecting public health. In Pennsylvania, the program is managed by PENNVEST in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

For information on EPAs revolving fund awards program visit: https://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/pdfs/brochure_dwsrf_awardsforpublichealth.pdf.

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