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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2007
CONTACT:
Tim Eller
717-783-6538
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Orie Secures $4 Million for 3 Rivers Wet Weather

HARRISBURG – State Senator Jane Clare Orie (R-40) and Secretary Kathleen McGinty, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will present a $4 Million grant to the Three Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program. Created in 1998 to address the sewage overflow problem in the Allegheny County Region, Three Rivers Wet Weather is a non-profit organization designed to assist local communities through education, financial grants and outreach efforts.

In 1997 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cited more than 50 communities in the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) for sewage overflows that violate the Federal Clean Water Act. ALCOSAN provides sewage treatment for more than 1 million people in 83 communities in Allegheny County. Three Rivers Wet Weather was created by a joint venture with ALCOSAN and the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD).

Senator Orie has secured the grant to assist Three Rivers Wet Weather in accomplishing its goals of meeting the mandate from the EPA and the Clean Water Act. Orie said "It is important that the residents of Allegheny County and surrounding areas have the resources necessary to properly treat waste water and fulfill the requirement of the federal clean water act."

Since all 83 communities are combined under the Three Rivers Wet Weather Program Orie said "the citizens and taxpayers will realize lower costs and substantial savings instead of each community addressing these problems on their own." A regional approach will result in standardized, integrated and quality-controlled data, which is critical for prioritizing major capital improvements and designing cost-effective solutions. The grant will be used to assist communities in consolidating the sewer collection system under regional entities and implementing a flow-monitoring system.

Senator Orie and Secretary McGinty will present a mock check to Three Rivers Wet Weather on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 10am at the McCandless Township Sanitary Authority (MTSA), 418 Arcadia Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.