Multi-municipal cooperation moves water authority forward
MONONGAHELA TWP. – The Dunkard Valley Joint Municipal Authority (DVJMA) has recently announced that the authority is asking for surveys to be completed by their customers.
According to a press release recently issued by DVJMA, the authority is applying for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and must provide certain demographics for the service area.
The authority’s service area covers two municipalities, including Greensboro Borough and a part of Monongahela Township.
According to the release, these two municipalities and DVJMA agree that moving the project forward quickly is best for the community.
Each municipality has devoted time to this collaborative approach.
In January, the three entities began meeting monthly.
Their collaborative efforts moved the rehabilitation project forward to the point where, in March, the group decided it was necessary to meet even more frequently.
These meetings allow all entities to jointly develop Phase I of the project rehabilitation, the release states.
Monongahela Township supervisors have begun discussions to modify current CDBG grants available to the township.
The township currently has $281,451 for potential modification.
This funding was originally applied for to assist two small villages, Alicia and Poland Mines, with sewage; however, after further review the project was determined to not be financially feasible for the residents, according to the release.
With this information, the township supervisors, with the assistance of their newly appointed engineer, K2 Engineering, began reviewing alternatives, which would be more cost effective.
Future applications for the CDBG program have also been discussed.
The entities said they are addressing the immediate need first but are also discussing the future needs and planning required to rehabilitate the system to provide reliable water service and become a self-supporting authority.
The surveys are crucial to the project as they will determine eligibility for the available grant funds, the release states.