State grants totaling more than $6 million have been awarded to projects to improve sewer and water systems in Carbon and Schuylkill counties, according to local state lawmakers.

The Coaldale Lansford Summit Hill Sewer Authority is receiving $2.5 million from H2O PA to make improvements to a wastewater treatment plant that overflows in heavy rainstorms.

“Anyone who lives near the Panther Creek has seen the nasty results of what can happen when we have issues with our sewer systems,” said state Sen. David Argall. “Tamaqua’s plans for a new waterfront park are now possible.”

Lansford Borough Council President Bruce Markovich said the grant award shows the commitment of area legislators in supporting the Panther Valley communities.

“This project when complete should lift the current sewer connection moratorium, which has been a major obstacle in development throughout the valley,” he said.

“Projects like this show … that we are making substantial progress in updating our infrastructure and there is a clear plan for future development throughout the valley,” Markovich said, adding that the Panther Valley has seen nearly $10 million in grants and private investment in the past four year, he said.

Markovich pointed to improvements and a new exhibit at the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, renovations on the former St. Michael’s Church, $1.4 million for projects in Lansford Borough, and this latest award for the Vortex separators for the sewer authority.

Other H2O PA funded projects include:

• $611,245 for Lehighton Borough for the rehabilitation of aging sewer infrastructure.

• $600,000 for Orwigsburg Borough for a sewer upgrade project on Marshall Drive, Station Road, and North Warren Street.

In addition, municipalities receiving money from the PA Small Water and Sewer Program, which comes from the COVID-19 ARPA funds, are:

• $319,812 for Bowmanstown Borough for the construction and installation of a chlorine contact tank at the borough’s wastewater treatment plant.

• $331,654 for the Lansford Coaldale Joint Water Authority to make improvements to the water system on West Abbott Street.

• $300,000 for the Lansford Coaldale Joint Water Authority to replace 1,600 water meters in Lansford, Coaldale and Nesquehoning.

• $30,636 for New Ringgold Borough to make necessary repairs to its wastewater treatment plant.

• $151,055 for the Palmerton Municipal Authority to replace a water main pipe on Franklin Avenue.

• $208,675 for the Tamaqua Area Water Authority and for the BET Property water service project.

• $421,312 for the Kline Township Municipal Authority to replace 1,250 feet of clean water transmission line in McAdoo Borough.

“I’m happy to see these grant dollars come back to Carbon County. Focusing on key infrastructure improvements is the first step in community revitalization,” state Rep. Doyle Heffley said.

“While most people won’t see these improvements being made, they’re incredibly important for the health and safety of our communities,” said state Rep. Jamie Barton.

In neighboring Lehigh and Northampton counties, state Rep. Zach Mako and Sens. Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller announced several projects that received funding.

Locally, they include:

• Lehigh Township Municipal Authority – $2.2 million for upgrades and expansion of the Pennsville wastewater treatment plant.

• Slatington Borough – $235,957 for a water main and service line replacement project on Maple Spring Drive.

Reporter Kelly Monitz Socha contributed to this report.