17607_PMAA_Authority_June_2024

municipalauthorities.org | 7 History Highland Sewer Authority was founded in Cambria County on March 9, 1953 by Geistown Borough. In 1954, Richland Township approached Geistown Borough to add water service to the Authority, as there was a growing need for a public water system. As a result of this request, Richland Township became the second incorporating municipality, and Highland Sewer Authority officially changed its name to Highland Sewer and Water Authority (HSWA). Throughout the past 70 years, HSWA has acquired various water systems, which included one surface water source, the Lloydell Reservoir, installed two well systems, installed water lines to extend public water service from Richland Township to Gallitzin Township, constructed the Beaverdam Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant to better serve its growing number of customers, and extended sewer lines throughout Geistown Borough and Richland Township. HSWA Today Today, HSWA is a very progressive authority with a Board of Directors consisting of nine residents from Geistown Borough and Richland Township, who have diverse backgrounds in engineering, accounting, public works, business ownership, human resources, and information technology. HSWA employs 28 full-time and two part- time employees who operate and run the authority. HSWA continues to grow, with approximately 11,000 water connections throughout 17 municipalities in Cambria County and 5,500 sewer connections in Richland Township and Geistown Borough. Additionally, HSWA maintains 22 water towers, six pump stations, approximately 290 miles of water main and 115 miles of sewer main, two surface water reservoirs and two well fed systems. HSWA produces 5.5 million gallons of water per day for direct customers and also provides bulk water sales to seven other municipal water systems. HSWA continues to acquire small local water systems in order to provide the public with the resources necessary to maintain and replace aging infrastructure. The most recent acquisitions include the Adams Township Water Authority in 2019, which consisted of nearly 600 connections and approximately 16 miles of water main, and the Tri Township Water Authority in 2023, which consisted of 265 service connections and approximately 13 miles of water main. With the Tri Township Water Authority acquisition, HSWA applied for PENNVEST funding to rehabilitate a portion of the existing system to reduce water loss, provide better service to the customers, and increase fire protection throughout the area. HSWA received a $2,220,780 loan and $11,513,700 grant, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace over 52,000 feet of water lines, 180 water service taps, and 265 water meters, as well as associated Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) and system meter vaults, gate valves, fire hydrants, blow offs, air release valves, fittings, and appurtenances. Additionally, HSWA is in the final stages of acquiring Croyle Township Water Authority, which consists of 390 service connections and approximately 26 miles of water main. HSWA is planning to submit a In addition to upgrading maintenance equipment and facilities, HSWA allocates $1,750,000 to $2,000,000 in both water and sewer budgets for capital improvement projects. rehabilitation project to PENNVEST in November 2024 for the replacement of three pump stations, three new water towers, and approximately 60,000 feet of water main replacement; as well as associated PRV and system meter vaults, gate valves, hydrants, blow offs, air release valves, fittings, and appurtenances. HSWA anticipates the acquisition to be completed in April 2025. In addition to upgrading maintenance equipment and facilities, HSWA allocates $1,750,000 to $2,000,000 in both water and sewer budgets for capital improvement projects. These funds allow HSWA to contract projects to replace aging water main, some dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, replace old meters and install new radio-read meters for more efficient data collection, increase fire protection, and replace other aging infrastructure. Along with the contracted projects, HSWA allocates $500,000 - $900,000 for in-house system replacements. HSWA designates four to six skilled employees to continually complete system replacement projects with an assortment of construction equipment that could complete virtually any job at hand. Our equipment list continues to grow as new technologies are introduced in our area. Using Technology to Manage Infrastructure Geographic Information Systems (GIS) To keep track of the ever-changing utilities, HSWA utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to manage existing system assets and plan future projects. Every employee at HSWA uses GIS on a daily basis - from the front office staff looking up customer information, to field technicians plotting leak and sample Article continued on page 36.