H2O PA – High Hazard Unsafe Dam Projects
H2O PA – High Hazard Unsafe Dam Projects supports Pennsylvania public dam owners in repairing, rehabilitating, or removing unsafe dams to address risks to downstream communities and property.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Due Dates: Not specified
Funding Amounts: $500,000–$20 million per project; single-year or multi-year grants up to six years
Summary: Supports Pennsylvania public owners repairing, rehabilitating, or removing all or part of a high hazard unsafe dam.
Key Information: Applicants must own the project; starting work before Commonwealth Financing Authority approval makes the project ineligible.
Description
The H2O PA Dam Program supports repair, rehabilitation, or removal of all or part of high hazard unsafe dams in Pennsylvania. Established under the H2O PA Act of July 2008, it authorizes the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to provide single-year and multi-year grants to eligible public owners. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) administers the program.
Eligible dams must be designated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as high hazard and unsafe: their failure would endanger populated downstream areas, and uncorrected deficiencies could cause failure with loss of life or substantial property damage. Review considers dam hazards, cost-effective alternatives, tourism impacts, emergency planning, inspection history, and the dam’s importance to water supply.
