One loan of $1,772,500 is for improvement of sewage service to the Humboldt Industrial Park. The loan, to the Greater Hazleton Community Area New Development Organization, will be used for upgrade of the existing sewage treatment facility in Hazle Township and installation of a de-chlorination system.

"This funding has tremendous implications for the economic development of the area," Musto said. "While the upgraded plant will continue to serve the 33 firms in the industrial park, it also will provide service for future occupants of the new Humboldt West Industrial Park.

"It is also significant that the new park lies largely within a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ)," Musto said, noting that businesses and industries have incentives to locate within these zones through favorable tax considerations.

Eachus said the loan also will enable the plant to meet revised and upgraded effluent limits for total residual chlorine.

"High chlorine concentration in local streams has been a problem," Eachus said; "the new de-chlorination system is expected to resolve that situation."

The Hazleton City Authority will use a $2,890,000 PENNVEST loan for a variety of improvements, including:

-- construction of 4,250 linear feet of 8-inch waterline extension to Lehigh Street residences

-- construction of an 84,000-gallon welded steel tank at Tomhicken and a 100,000 gallon tank at Junedale

-- construction of two 100,000-gallon-per-day wells at Tomhicken and Derringer

-- replacement of a number of hydrants and meters

-- replacement of 9,900 linear feet of distribution line

-- rehabilitation of the Perry Court Pump Station

The proposed work will provide potable water to homes with contaminated wells and eliminate low pressure and occasional water outages in parts of the system, which serves 52,000 persons.

For more information contact Mike Cotter @717-654-1483 or mcotter@dem.pasen.gov

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