Pennsylvania American Water announced more than $13.9 million in improvements to the Hershey water system designed to strengthen reliability, support future growth, and improve water flow for both everyday use and firefighting.
“These projects are about making sure Hershey’s water system is ready for the years ahead,” said Bruce Brubaker, senior manager of engineering project delivery for Pennsylvania American Water. “By adding new storage and replacing older pipelines, we’re helping ensure reliable service, protecting public health, and supporting the community’s continued growth.”
Beginning this spring, the company will start construction on a new two-million-gallon drinking water storage tank in Hershey and pump station. The $10 million project is expected to take about a year to complete.
The new tank and pump station will:
• Help maintain steady water pressure throughout the system
• Provide backup storage during peak demand or emergency situations
• Improve overall system reliability and resilience
At the same time, Pennsylvania American Water will begin a $3.9 million water main
replacement project along Sand Beach Road and across the Swatara Creek near Boathouse
Park. The project will replace more than one mile of aging pipe with a larger, more durable main.
This upgrade will:
• Increase water flow and capacity
• Improve long-term reliability
• Better support firefighting needs
Construction for the main replacement recently began and will take approximately 7 months, with final resurfacing planned for early October. Crews will typically work on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and traffic restrictions will be in place during construction. Night or weekend work may be scheduled if needed due to weather or project timing.
This infrastructure upgrade project is not only an important investment in public health and
safety, it also helps support the economic health of the community. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, upwards of 10 jobs are generated throughout the economy. Statewide, Pennsylvania American Water invested approximately $722 million in 2025 alone to improve its water and wastewater treatment and pipeline systems, supporting more than 7,220 jobs through these continued investment
