Matzie: Nearly $6 million secured to upgrade Baden, Monaca water infrastructure
Will fund work to replace aging water mains and service lines
Rep. Robert F. Matzie April 23, 2025 | 2:35 PM
AMBRIDGE, April 23 – More reliable water service is coming to Baden and Monaca, thanks to combined loan funding of more than $5.9 million the boroughs have secured for major water system improvements, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, who is Chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said the low-interest loans – secured through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority – will allow the boroughs to replace thousands of feet of water lines that are beyond their useful life.
“Water infrastructure in parts of Baden and Monaca is very old, with mains and service lines that frequently leak and break, causing service interruptions and affecting flow to fire hydrants,” Matzie said. “The new funding will allow both boroughs to install new water mains and replace deteriorating service lines, which will mean more reliable service with fewer service interruptions, adequate flow to hydrants and a more efficient system that saves taxpayer dollars.”
Matzie said the funding and projects include:
- A $3,184,700 low-interest loan to the Borough of Baden to install more than 10,000 feet of 6-inch ductile iron water mains; replace 3,000 feet of 1-inch, authority-owned service lines that are deteriorating; and replace seven fire hydrants. Two new sections of line will be installed to loop specific distribution areas to provide consistent flow throughout the entire service area.
- A $2,775,000 low-interest loan to the Borough of Monaca to replace approximately 6,700 feet of old cast iron water mains with new, ductile iron pipe in four areas of the borough where line breaks are prevalent; replace 4,175 feet of borough-owned service lines; and replace 10 fire hydrants.
Matzie said both loans are for a term of 20 years and have a 1% interest rate for the first five years that increases to 1.743% for the remaining 15 years. The Monaca loan will provide the grant equivalent of nearly $2 million over the life of the loan, while the Baden loan will provide the grant equivalent of more than $1 million.
Without the loans, user fees in Baden would expect to increase by an additional 8% and in Monaca, by an additional 6%.