ALIQUIPPA Thousands of Beaver County residents are, hopefully, one step closer to cleaner drinking water.
The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa broke ground on a new $15 million water filtration plant Thursday near its existing, decades-old facility. Board and city leaders said financing for the two-and-a-half-year project is secured and construction can begin once state regulators approve necessary permits.
Board members, joined by Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker and state and local elected officials, said the project’s cost won’t result in higher rates for customers.
“The money’s in the bank,” said MWAA board chairman Matthew Mottes.
Crews with Unis Demolition tore down a section of the MWAA’s former administrative building on Hopewell Avenue to make way for the plant; the existing 80-year-old treatment facility will remain operational during construction, but may be demolished, at some point, after the new plant is built.