DARLINGTON, PA – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA) announced a $3,661,000 Community Project Funding grant for Darlington Township. This funding will help to build the infrastructure needed to offer clean, public drinking water for Darlington Township residents.

Currently, Darlington residents use private wells and springs and do not have access to a public water source. The Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical explosion in February 2023 exposed the vulnerabilities of an entire community depending on well water in instances of potential contamination. The funding secured by Congressman Deluzio and Senators Casey and John Fetterman will help to provide an option for residents to access public water by connecting them to water service via nearby Beaver Falls Municipal Authority.

“Everyone should be able to trust that the water they are drinking is clean, but the Norfolk Southern toxic derailment shook the Darlington community’s ability to trust that their water was clean and safe,” said Congressman Deluzio. “We knew we had to do what we could to help. That’s why I have been fighting for accountability from the railroad and working to pass rail safety reforms. Today, I am so proud to join Sen. Casey to announce we have secured this $3.66 million investment to bring the option of a safe public drinking water system to the people of Darlington.”

“Norfolk Southern’s train derailment threatened the right to pure water that the people of Darlington deserve,” said Senator Casey. “I fought for this funding because connecting Darlington to a secondary clean water source is a critical step in supporting the community’s recovery. This community has made great progress over the past year and a half, and I won’t stop fighting to pass legislation to support Darlington and prevent Pennsylvanians from going through this hell again.”