Capital Region Water applauds the passage of infrastructure legislation providing for further investment in clean and safe water services. Enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act serves to support Capital Region Water’s short- and long-term capital spending plans.
“With this federal funding, Capital Region Water could have a unique opportunity to help alleviate the burden of cost on our customers,” said Capital Region Water CEO Katzenmoyer. “These funds would shorten our project horizon and ensure we continue to provide affordable water services for the most vulnerable customers in our region as we complete all needed capital improvements”.
Capital Region Water will present proposed 2022 drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater budgets and rates to the Board of Directors for consideration during a public meeting beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.
“The budget proposal process is an important step towards ensuring safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater service continues for our customers,” explains Katzenmoyer. “With our core value “Flowing Together” as our theme this year, Capital Region Water strives to be proficient in investing in our city’s future while balancing the affordability challenges facing so many of our customers. It’s a testament to our leadership that we’ve been able to keep rates predictable.”
The 2022 proposed budget priorities and initiatives include:
- Investment in critical infrastructure including $10.4 million in capital improvement projects for the drinking water system, $32.2 million in capital improvement projects for the wastewater system, and almost $7.6 million in green stormwater infrastructure improvements;
- Implementation of the Long-Term Control Plan that has been negotiated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to improve local water quality;
- Optimization of the Customer Experience through assistance and incentive programs; and
- Partnership to continue wastewater testing for COVID-19.
The recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide approximately $17.8 billion in new spending allocated to Pennsylvania. The state can expect to receive $1.4 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure.
As a municipal authority, Capital Region Water is eligible to pursue forgivable loans and grant opportunities such as those provided through this new legislation. Capital Region Water does not earn a profit and invests its revenue into operating and improving the Harrisburg area’s water systems.
Capital Region Water’s Board of Directors will meet for the Special Board Meeting. Customers are encouraged to attend and provide comment. Meeting details can be found at https://capitalregionwater.com/board-meetings/. The Board of Directors is scheduled to approve 2022 budgets and rates at their Regular Meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23.