PEC was awarded a $1.3 million grant for the project summarized below.  The project was under construction in the spring of 2010.

This is a green project as described in the RFP (Request for Proposal) published in the PA Bulletin and on the PENNVEST web site.

Counties: Fayette

Municipalities: Ohiopyle Borough

Service Area: Gateway to the Laurel Mountains, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses over 19,000 acres of rugged national beauty in southwestern Pennsylvania. The focal point of Ohiopyle is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River George which provides some of the best whitewater boating in the Eastern U.S.  Hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, natural waterslides, and a state park natural area round out the gorgeous package.

In the center of Ohiopyle State Park is the 0.41 square mile Borough of Ohiopyle. Containing 34 households and 21 businesses, the town provides the infrastructure (water, roadways, storm, sewers, etc) for the 1.4 million annual visitors to the state park. Most of these visitors are day trippers, spending little money in the town, however use their water, sewers and roads. According the March 13, 2009 Ohiopyle State Park Sewage Facilities Alternatives Study, the Ohiopyle State park is the largest user of the current borough owned water and sewage treatment plants.

As the main provider of services within this region, the area being serviced by these improvements would include entire Ohiopyle State Park region - 19,000 acres.

Population Served: 1400000

Quantitative Description: Alternatives for the removal of stormwater infiltration during peak rain events were explored in the March 13, 2009 study including drip irrigation, expansion of the current treatment facility (which was just upgraded in 2000) and replacement of the entire piping system. These alternatives cost from $2,095,000 to $5,500,000 with an additional $50,000 to $75,000 for annual operating costs. Currently the borough's annual WWTP operating budget is $10,000.

This Green Infrastructure project would cost $1,575,854 and could store up to 225,592 gallons of stormwater during rain events. Based upon 2008 Effluent Flow Totalizer Data for the WWTP, stormwater creates an increase of approximately 24,000 to 3,500 gpd (gallons per day) into the plant. Additionally, unlike typical grey solutions to stormwater, these Green Infrastructure elements would potentially increase the current Eco Tourism and economic development within the borough. Currently a majority of park users are day trippers. This is partially due to the lack of motels within the borough.

As outlined in the Laurel Highlands CLI study in 2008, the current WWTP facility lacks the capacity for additional motels to be built within the Borough. However, as shown in the March 13, 2009 WWTP study, if I/I were removed from the current system, the current system could handle the currently proposed projects of a new motel with 50 units, 25 new homes and the new Park Office Relocation.

In the March 13, 2009 OhioPyle State Park Sewage Facilities Alternatives Study funded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and prepared by CET Engineering, the current sewage treatment system is "hydraulically overloaded during storm events." Significant causes listed in the study for this Inflow & Infiltration (I/I) issue are: direct connection of some roof drains to the sanitary system, old vitrified clay sewer pipes with potentially cracked connections, a high water table and lack of stormwater drainage.

This project would disconnect downspouts from the sanitary sewer system and install rain barrels and cisterns for rainwater re-use in landscaping as well as construct 22,780 square feet of pervious pavement and sidewalks with gravel sumps creating underground stormwater storage within the main streets of Sherman, Sheridan & Lincoln. This system could store up to approximately 225,592 gallons of stormwater during peak rain events, therefore reducing the I/I from the sanitary system during times of hydraulic overloading.