Causer, Dush Announce Funding for Austin Wastewater Project

April 15, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) today announced nearly $575,000 in funding for wastewater improvements in Austin Borough, Potter County.

At its meeting today, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) approved Austin’s application for financing of a Construction Wastewater Project to decommission the existing pump stations and construct approximately 1,400 feet of new gravity sewer, including new sewer laterals, cleanouts and related appurtenances, to convey wastewater to the treatment plant. The new system will be entirely gravity-fed, eliminating the need for grinder pumps.

The funding approved by PENNVEST includes a low-interest loan of $430,670 and a grant of $143,366.

“Efficient, effective and environmentally sound wastewater treatment systems are important to the health and safety of our residents,” Causer said. “I support investments like these in our infrastructure systems to improve quality of life in our communities.”

“Properly functioning water and sewer systems, such as Austin Borough’s entirely gravity-fed, natural forces-driven wastewater treatment process, are very important to the safety and well-being of any community. They are also very expensive to build and maintain,” Dush said. “Fortunately, PENNVEST grants and low-interest loans exist to significantly offset these costs, which means ratepayers do not have to bear the brunt of these expensive infrastructure improvement projects that safeguard local water supplies, prevent pollution in our streams and promote public health.”

Since its inception in 1988, PENNVEST has served communities and citizens by funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects across the Commonwealth. PENNVEST funding does not come from the state’s General Fund budget, but through the use of federal funding and prior bond issues by the state, as well as proceeds from Act 13 of 2012, the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee.

Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepCauser.com / Facebook.com/RepCauser