Infrastructure improvements cited as reason
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Infrastructure improvements in Pennsylvania were cited as the reason
none of the 1.4 million people who get their water service from Aqua
Pennsylvania, Inc. (Aqua) were without service during the storms that
brought record-setting rainfall throughout the Commonwealth during
August. That was the testimony of Aqua Vice President Production Marc
Lucca before Pennsylvania's Senate Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Lucca credited the company's performance to the extensive infrastructure
investment it continues to make throughout the state.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said Lucca quoting
Benjamin Franklin. "That has been Aqua's philosophy in preparing for
events that have the potential to disrupt our service." Lucca said Aqua
has spent several millions of dollars to prevent storm damage and has
flood-proofed several existing structures and replaced other so that
they are above flood-water elevations. He specifically cited:
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Increasing the height of the flood wall at its largest water treatment
facility—Pickering Creek plant in Chester County
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Replacing the old raw-water pump stations at the Schuylkill River in
Chester County and Perkiomen Creek in Montgomery County
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Flood-proofing at a major well (Cabot Well Station) in Montgomery
County
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Installation of emergency generators at all surface water treatment
plants
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Completed updates to the company's flood emergency response plans
Lucca said emergency generators played a critical role when Hurricane
Lee caused widespread power outages caused its Crum Creek Water
Treatment Plant in Delaware County to rely on generators for about 14
hours. "This plant serves Springfield Hospital, which was never without
water," said Lucca. He said the nearby Ridley Water Treatment Plant ran
for about 50 hours sustaining service for customers including Riddle
Memorial Hospital.
In Bradford County, even though the town was flooded,
customers—including the Robert Packer Hospital— continued to have water
service despite the severe storm. Aqua issued a precautionary boil water
advisory for the area because of the flooding. Lucca said, "Aqua
mobilized two 2,000-gallon trucks for potable water use at the hospital.
They were later used in the town of Sayre for community use during the
recovery."
Aqua has a long history of making significant and necessary
infrastructure investments throughout the Commonwealth. Over the past 10
years, Aqua has invested more than $1.6 billion on capital improvements.
Speaking separately, Aqua Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said,
"The examples Marc cited in his testimony demonstrate that prudent
investments in drinking water infrastructure works. Acts of nature like
extreme weather will always present a threat, but proactive and prudent
investments like those made by Aqua Pennsylvania go a long way in
reducing that potential." He added that the infrastructure work the
company continues to do also has the added benefit of providing jobs and
protecting the environment.
Pennsylvania's drinking water systems received a grade of D+ from the
American Society of Civil Engineers 2010 Report Card for Pennsylvania's
Infrastructure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates
a 20-year capital investment of $334.8 billion is needed for public
water system repairs and replacement of transmission pipes, storage and
treatment equipment, and other projects required to protect public
health. Aqua's capital program is consistent with the types of
improvements the EPA says are necessary for the nation's public water
systems.
Aqua provides water and wastewater services to approximately 1.4 million
people in 30 counties throughout Pennsylvania
WTRG
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.
Donna Alston
Director, Communications
610-645-1095
dpalston@aquaamerica.com
Source: Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
