As of this week, the Dunkard Valley Water Extension Project is underway.

Through this project, Dunkard Valley Joint Municipal Authority and Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority will unite in an effort to update Dunkard Valley’s outdated system.

“Southwest Water will be taking over Dunkard Valley’s service system and it will all be replaced with new piping, new valves, new everything,” said Charles Mallory, DVJMA board president. “It’s all in line to just make everything better for our customers, so we have good clean reliable water.”

Tim Faddis, manager of SPWA, said after estimating costs, his organization decided to enter into an agreement with DVJMA.

“The Dunkard Valley Joint Municipal Authority’s System is at the end of its useful life; DVJMA has been looking for a solution for a good while and reached out to some of the local water suppliers,” Faddis said.

Mallory said they have clean water right now, but their system is old. The Dunkard Valley system was initiated back in the early 1950s. So, as Mallory put it, this project is “a way to upgrade.”

DVJMA represents 512 customers in Greensboro and Monongahela townships. Due to the outdated system, these customers have experienced water problems throughout the years. Mallory said there have been water breaks in the winter and spring because the system is old.

“By bringing big lines in and all new lines we won’t get into having breaks and things,” Mallory said.

In addition to new lines, this project will also upgrade Dunkard Valley’s 100,000-gallon storage tank to a 1 million gallon storage take. So, if anything happens they’ll have a lot more water to back it up.

Mallory said the idea of this project was initially brought up about three years ago; however, there has been a hold up because of money.

“It’s been awhile, it’s been a process, but it’s the same process anybody would have to go through if they wanted a PENNVEST grant,” Mallory said.

According to the SPWA press release, the project’s cost totals $12.8 million. Most of the money will cover replacing the water lines, while the rest will cover the new 1million-gallon water storage tank.

This money will primarily be coming from loans and grants. SPWA accepted an offer from PENNVEST Jan. 10. The SPWA press release stated the offer totaled $14.1 million and was comprised of a $5.1 million grant and a $9 million loan.

Now that they have the money, the project can begin.

“It’s starting right now, it’s already underway, and it has to be completed by November of this year,” said Mallory.

The project must be completed by November because there is a 300-day limit to complete this project. During this time, Mallory said customers will not be affected. However, Dunkard Valley customers will experience an increase in monthly rates when the project is complete.

“There will be a separate rate district set up for this project area and those customers will pay a debt service each month with their water bills,” said Faddis.

Mallory said they are anticipating a service charge of about $20, so the cost will increase for Dunkard Valley customers from $40 to about $58.