Press Releases
Accelerated project advances planned infrastructure improvements and includes a $50,000 grant to Scranton Tomorrow to support downtown revitalization.
SCRANTON, Pa. (September 9, 2026) – Pennsylvania American Water today announced plans for a major $5 million water infrastructure improvement project in downtown Scranton that will replace approximately one mile of aging water main. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027. The project will strengthen service reliability and increase capacity for businesses, residents, and visitors in the city's center.
“With approximately 50 miles of water main in Scranton dating back to before 1900, projects like this are essential to modernizing the city's water system,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Justin Ladner. “We're replacing aging water mains at a pace 2 times faster than the national average, helping improve reliability, increase capacity and support the future of downtown Scranton.”
Originally planned for 2028, the project has been advanced to accelerate infrastructure improvements and represents another step in Pennsylvania American Water's ongoing commitment to modernizing Scranton's water system. The company maintains approximately 300 miles of water main in Scranton and replaces 5 to 10 miles of aging pipe annually.
Currently in the engineering and design phase, the project will replace approximately one mile of aging water main in downtown Scranton, including improvements along North Washington Avenue between Lackawanna Avenue and Gibson Street and along Mulberry Street between North Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue.
The project will replace the existing 24-inch and 6-inch water mains with a new 16-inch water main, increasing system capacity and improving water flow throughout downtown Scranton. The improvements will create new connections in the water system, increasing flexibility and allowing crews to isolate sections for maintenance or repairs without disrupting a larger area.
These upgrades will help improve reliability, reduce the potential for service disruptions, and support the long-term water needs of downtown businesses, institutions, and residents. The new infrastructure is expected to serve customers for decades to come while strengthening one of the region's oldest water systems.
Pennsylvania American Water is coordinating closely with the City of Scranton and Reilly Associates, the city's engineering consultant, to align this project with planned downtown streetscape improvements and help minimize construction impacts.
In addition to the infrastructure improvements announced today, Pennsylvania American Water plans to support downtown revitalization through a proposed $50,000 American Water Charitable Foundation grant to Scranton Tomorrow.
The grant will support Scranton Tomorrow’s Safe, Clean & Green Program, an initiative that advances neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, and community engagement across the City of Scranton.
In the coming weeks, customers may notice preliminary project activity in the downtown area as planning, permitting, and coordination efforts continue ahead of a spring 2027 construction start. To minimize impacts and maintain access to businesses, work will be completed in phases and coordinated with the city's downtown streetscape improvements.
Pennsylvania American Water will share additional construction schedules, traffic information, and project updates with customers, businesses, community stakeholders, and city officials as the project progresses.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 1,200 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people.
Media Contact:
Alana Roberts
Pennsylvania American Water
570-309-4814
alana.roberts@amwater.com