Foxburg gets grant funding for new water treatment plant, other investments
The borough of Foxburg, in Clarion County, is in line for a completely overhauled water treatment system in the near future.
The Foxburg Area Water and Sewer Authority has received more than $5 million in funding toward a new water treatment plant and a complete overhaul of its water distribution system.
The water treatment plant will include four greensand filters, an emergency generator to serve the borough in case of a power outage and other necessary equipment. The authority’s undersized water storage tank will be replaced with a new 150,000-gallon tank.
Greensand is an organic mineral deposit used to amend soil by improving structure, increasing moisture retention and providing slow-release iron, potassium, and trace minerals.
In addition, the borough’s water distribution will be replaced, with the addition of 6,500 feet of 6-inch waterline, 300 feet of 4-inch waterline, and 700 feet of 2-inch waterline. Some fire hydrants will also be replaced.
Of the funding received, $2,631,852 comes in the form of the grant, while the remaining $2,544,148 is a loan.
Foxburg Mayor Stephen Buzard said the upgrades can’t come soon enough, as the borough’s current water distribution system is long past its useful life.
“The prior system is so antiquated. The waterlines originally weren’t designed for a hotel, a pizza shop, the winery and the restaurant,” Buzard said. “With the (Allegheny-Clarion) school system, there would be leaks, and then the tanks would drain and then there would be no water pressure at the school. There have been over 20 days over the last few years that school had to be canceled because there was no water.”
Buzard estimates that if all goes well, the borough can get started on construction of both the new treatment plant and the infrastructure upgrades within two months, with construction finishing in about a year.
“The investment of more than $5 million will have a lasting impact on the community as it will help modernize infrastructure, improve service and help protect the long-term health and safety of residents,” said state Rep. Josh Bashline, R-63rd, in a news release.
