With the assistance of Spotts, Stevens, and McCoy — a regional engineering, environmental, and surveying firm with an office in West Chester — several entities have received funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for projects that benefit the public interest of Pennsylvania.

SSM’s grant services include preparation and submission on behalf of the entity. The firm also provides cost estimates and scope-of-work definition and description. Whether its client needs full-range grant assistance, or just one piece of a bigger picture, SSM is here to help.

The following projects from SSM clients received funding:

Reading Area Water Authority
SCADA and IT Upgrade Project | $165,649

Through grant preparation and submission services, SSM helped Reading Area Water Authority (RAWA) obtain $165,649 for upgrades to network security. The funds will be used to offset costs associated with the procurement and implementation of hardware, software, licensing, programming, and SCADA upgrades. The completion of this project will allow RAWA to continue to protect its water supply, treatment, and distribution systems into the future.

Upper Montgomery Joint Authority
2022 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements | $149,952

SSM helped secure $149,952 in funding for upgrades to the Upper Montgomery Joint Authority’s (UMJA) wastewater treatment plant. The funding will offset costs associated with the procurement and installation of process, treatment, pumping, and security equipment for the plant. These include two new primary sludge transfer pumps and sludge blanket level sensors, as well as rebuild of the existing final clarifier and installation of security equipment throughout the plant. All of these upgrades will significantly improve the wastewater treatment plant and reduce long-term costs to the authority.

Bern Township Municipal Authority
Leiscz’s Bridge Road Pumping Stations Project | $210,366

With the assistance of SSM’s grant services, Bern Township Municipal Authority secured $210,366 for the construction of two new pumping stations which will connect into the existing sanitary sewer system. This project will allow the authority to provide service to the surrounding homes and businesses, as well as allow for additional future development in this area of the system.

Perkiomen Township Municipal Authority
Lodal Creek Sanitary Sewer Repair Project | $211,494

SSM assisted with grant preparations and submission, securing $211,494 for Perkiomen Township Municipal Authority for permanent repair work to a section of sewer main that was damaged as a result of the flooding from Hurricane Ida. Some of the damages include a broken section of the concrete encasement that protects the sewer main in the creek, creek gravel around the encasement, and the gabion basket wall that protects a manhole, leaving the manhole partially exposed to the creek. Repairs planned with received funding include replacing the gabion basket wall, lining a section of the sanitary sewer main with CIPP lining, and repairing the concreate encasement that protects the sanitary sewer main at the creek crossing. The permanent repair work and CIPP lining will allow the authority to continue providing reliable service to its customers. It is also expected to reduce inflow and infiltration (I/I) within the collection system.

Perkiomen Township Municipal Authority
Television Inspection System Equipment | $101,530

Perkiomen Township Municipal Authority (PTMA) obtained $101,530 in funding with the assistance of SSM’s grant team. Funds will be used to purchase Television Inspection System Equipment for use with the authority’s ongoing inflow and infiltration (I/I) work. This equipment is critical for PTMA to perform inspection work in its sewer collection system. It allows for identification of issues within the system that could lead to collapse. It also will allow PTMA to prioritize areas of the system for repair. By resolving issues in the system and reducing I/I, PTMA can increase system capacity, allowing for future development of the township and surrounding area.

Leesport Borough
Water System Emergency Generator Project | $119,983

Leesport Borough was granted $119,983 with the assistance of SSM’s grant services. These funds will be utilized for emergency generators to be located at the two largest producing wells in the public water system. The Borough Hall building will also receive an emergency generator due to its housing of the water system controls, alarms, and SCADA system. There are currently zero emergency generators installed in the water system, requiring the system to operate on storage capacity when there is no power to run the wells. This can present limitation in the case of drought or fire flow events. The emergency generator project will help to decrease service interruptions and secure the ability to provide full fire flow service to the system customers.

Manheim Area Water and Sewer Authority
2022 Sanitary Sewer Interceptor CIPP Lining Project | $880,993

SSM aided Manheim Area Water and Sewer Authority (MAWSA) in securing $880,993 for continued sewer interceptor rehabilitation. The rehabilitation work includes closed-circuit televising of the main interceptor piping to determine pipe condition. Then, the interceptor will be repaired and restored through the installation of CIPP lining. The sewer rehabilitation and repair of the interceptor piping is expected to significantly reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration (I/I) that enters the sanitary sewer system and wastewater treatment plant. This will not only protect this valuable infrastructure, but will enable MAWSA to serve future commercial, residential, and industrial development.

Manheim Area Water and Sewer Authority
Systemwide Water Meter Replacement Project | $1,000,000

SSM also helped Manheim Area Water and Sewer Authority (MAWSA) secure $1 million in funding to offset costs associated with the procurement and systemwide installation of water meters and associated equipment for use in MAWSA’s water distribution system. Installation of new water meters will allow the authority to provide reliable service to water customers, as well as accurately capture water consumption and withdraw — necessary for both customers and regulatory agencies. Accurate water meter readings will also allow for future expansion and development.

Walnutport Municipal Authority
Sewer Pump Station Repair | $75,000

SSM aided in grant preparation and submission, securing $75,000 for Walnutport Municipal Authority’s proposed pump station improvements. The existing pump station, constructed in 1978 and updated in 1995, presents some limitations. The proposed improvements include new submersible pumps installed on a rail system inside the existing wet well, as well as a new grinder inside a concrete manhole outside of the wet well. A new valve vault and meter pit with a permanent bypass pumping connection will also be installed, allowing for bypass pumping capabilities in emergency situations.

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