BUTLER COUNTY New pipeline to aid growth

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Water from Lawrence County will help a growing area in southwestern Butler County.
Pennsylvania-American Water Co. announced it will build a pipeline through Jackson, Lancaster and Connoquenessing townships in Butler County, an area that has seen a population explosion over the past decade.
The new pipeline will connect to one serving Butler, but the reservoirs serving that area are often affected by mild drought conditions, company officials said.
Additional water supplies will come from PAWC's treatment plant near Ellwood City in Lawrence County, they said.
The work needed to connect the lines and build new ones will be paid partially through a $5.995 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
Dan Ireland, operations manager for PAWC's northwestern operations, said the new pipeline will provide relief for Jackson, Lancaster and Connoquenessing, areas burdened with well water supplies that are of both poor quality and quantity.
The loan carries an investment rate of 1.3 percent for the first five years and 2.7 percent the remaining 15 years.