Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) Wednesday announced the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority and its Executive Director Jim Tomaine has received one of the 2018 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence in the category of Building Community Partnerships.

The WVSA has been providing wastewater treatment services for Luzerne County since 1962 and is currently spearheading the WVSA Regional Stormwater Management Project.

The project is designed to create opportunities for streamlined regulations, economies of scale, strategic partnerships, and a more affordable cost for property owners who benefit from the WVSA stormwater services.

More than 30 municipalities, which are serviced by the WVSA will be collaborating on this venture, where the overall goal is to reduce stormwater pollution to the Susquehanna River and to continue to adhere to the Commonwealth’s commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Agreement.

Tomaine is directly in charge of the project, which is expected to save the region $57 million over the next five years and $247 million over the next two decades.

“The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority’s determination to create a better quality of life for our northeastern Pennsylvania residents is the reason why it has received this prestigious award,” said Sen. Yudichak. “The WVSA Regional Stormwater Management Project represents the most comprehensive environmental project in northeastern Pennsylvania in the last 40 years and it couldn’t have been done without the unwavering leadership of Jim Tomaine.”

“Today’s recognition is the result of thirty-plus municipalities collaborating with our state and local leaders in order to make northeastern Pennsylvania a healthier place to live,” said Sam Guesto, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the WVSA. “Our project will help to continue to protect and preserve both the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay, while saving the region millions of dollars.”

For more information, visit the Authority’s Understanding Stormwater Regionalization webpage.

Sen. Yudichak serves as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. He can be contacted by calling 717-787-7105 or sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.

NewsClips:

Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority Receives Governor’s Award For Excellence

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[Posted: April 11, 2018]

4/16/2018