Section 724.4 - Small Water Systems Regionalization Grant Program(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the department a Small Water Systems Regionalization Grant Program for the purpose of making grants to local sponsors in order to assist small water systems with the cost of feasibility studies for the development of regionalized water systems.(b) Eligibility.--Two types of grants shall be available: (1) Grants to local sponsors where a small water system has issued a letter of intent as described in this section to develop water systems regionalization studies.(2) Grants to counties, county authorities or authorities formed by more than two municipalities who are local sponsors to develop water systems regionalization studies. Grants awarded under this act shall be used only for the development of a small water systems regionalization feasibility study and shall not exceed 75% of the total project cost, or $75,000, whichever is less.
(c) Letters of intent.--An application for a grant shall be initiated by a letter of intent from a small water system, affirming their intent to study the feasibility of organizing into a regionalized water system, to a local sponsor whose jurisdiction includes the geographic territory of the proposed regionalized water system. The letter of intent shall include a brief explanation of why the small water systems are interested in determining the feasibility of a regionalized water system.(d) Applications.--Local sponsors shall apply to the department for grants on forms containing the information prescribed by the department.(e) Evaluation of grants.--The department shall use the following criteria when considering applications for grants:(1) The degree of areawide involvement, including the total population to be served by the proposed regionalized water system.(2) The potential feasibility of the proposed regionalized water system as may be determined by the department.(3) The potential threat to public health and welfare resulting from deteriorated water facilities, conditions and practices.(4) Whether the system must comply with the surface water treatment technique requirements authorized by the act of May 1, 1984 (P.L. 206, No. 43) , known as the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act. (5) Any other criteria as established by the department as necessary to accomplish the intent of this act.(f) Reports.--The department shall require local sponsors to submit periodic progress reports on activities undertaken pursuant to the grants on a specific schedule established by the department. The local sponsor shall also be required to submit a final report to the department which includes the recommended actions and conclusions resulting from the study and the steps to be taken to implement the study if it determines consolidation or regionalization is feasible. The local sponsor shall also account for all moneys spent under the grant.1992, March 16, P.L. 10, No. 5, § 4, imd. effective.