Pennsylvania American Water Announces $17 Million Plan for Water Storage Upgrades in 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

Pennsylvania American Water announced plans for 2021 to invest approximately $17 million in rehabilitating 11 water storage tanks and constructing 7 new tanks. This initiative aims to extend the service life of existing tanks through inspection, sandblasting, and repainting, ensuring optimal water quality and supply reliability for customers. Over the past five years, the company has invested over $40 million in similar improvements, emphasizing its commitment to customer service and efficient maintenance operations.

Positive

• Investment of $17 million in water storage improvements.
• Rehabilitation of 11 tanks enhances water quality and extends service life.
• Construction of 7 new tanks to increase water storage capacity.

Negative

• None.

Pennsylvania American Water today announced its 2021 plans to rehabilitate 11 of its water storage tanks and construct seven new structures. Pennsylvania American Water’s tank rehabilitation program of inspecting, sandblasting, and repainting tanks extends their service lives and helps protect water quality. The total cost of the company’s water storage improvements this year is approximately $17 million.

“Storage tanks are critical to meeting the supply demands of our customers and providing fire protection for our communities,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “Properly and proactively maintaining tanks benefits our customers because of the cost efficiencies we can achieve by rehabilitating rather than replacing them.”

During the past five years, Pennsylvania American Water has invested more than $40 million to maintain, rehabilitate and construct water storage tanks. This year, the company will rehabilitate and repaint ground storage tanks in the following municipalities:

• Baldwin Borough, Allegheny County – 350,000-gallon
• Camp Hill Township, Cumberland County – 2,000,000-gallon
• Crystal Lake, Susquehanna County – 1,000,000-gallon
• Mechanicsburg Borough, Cumberland County – 3,000,000-gallon
• Menallen Township, Fayette County – 1,000,000-gallon
• Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County – 430,000-gallon
• Sinking Spring, Berks County – 250,000-gallon
• Union Township, Washington County – 5,000,000-gallon
• Union Township, Washington County – 350,000-gallon

To rehabilitate the tanks, crews will strip the original paint and apply a new coating, which serves as a protective barrier that prevents the steel from rusting and impacting water quality. During construction, customers should not experience impacts to their water service.

The company also is constructing seven new ground storage tanks in the following municipalities to provide additional water storage capacity, which will help the company continue to deliver reliable water service to meet customer demand and provide fire protection:

• Abington Township, Montgomery County – 300,000-gallon
• Lehman Township, Pike County – 223,000-gallon
• Lehman Township, Pike County – 214,000-gallon
• Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County – 500,000-gallon
• Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County – 300,000 -gallon
• Parkesburg Borough, Chester County – 1,000,000-gallon (two)
• Parkesburg Borough, Chester County – 750,000-gallon

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210513006031/en/

FAQ

What is Pennsylvania American Water's 2021 plan regarding water storage?

Pennsylvania American Water plans to invest approximately $17 million in rehabilitating 11 water storage tanks and constructing 7 new tanks in 2021.

How much has Pennsylvania American Water invested in tank improvements over the last five years?

Over the past five years, Pennsylvania American Water has invested more than $40 million in maintaining and rehabilitating water storage tanks.

Will customers experience service interruptions during the tank rehabilitation?

No, customers should not experience impacts to their water service during the tank rehabilitation.

What municipalities will benefit from the new water storage tanks?

The new tanks will be constructed in Abington Township, Lehman Township, Middle Smithfield Township, and Parkesburg Borough.

What is the significance of the water storage tank rehabilitation program?

The rehabilitation program is critical for meeting customer supply demands and ensuring fire protection for communities.