The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Authority.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority established under 64 Pa.C.S. Ch. 15 (relating to Commonwealth Financing Authority).

“Board.” The Board of the Commonwealth Financing Authority established under 64 Pa.C.S. § 1512 (relating to board).

“Department.” The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth.

“Eligible applicant.” The Commonwealth, an independent agency or one or more municipalities or municipal authorities. A Commonwealth or independent agency shall be an eligible applicant only for the purposes of high hazard unsafe dam and flood control projects.

“High hazard dam.” A dam so located as to endanger populated areas downstream by its failure.

“High hazard unsafe dam.” A dam that is both a high hazard and an unsafe dam.

“Municipal authority.” A public authority created under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 (relating to municipal authorities) or under the former act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.

“PENNVEST.” The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority established under the act of March 1, 1988 (P.L. 82, No. 16),¹ known as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act.

“Project.” The acquisition, construction, improvement, including the installation of security measures, expansion, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of a water supply system, sewage disposal system, storm water system, flood control system or high hazard unsafe dam. The term shall include the consolidation or regionalization of two or more water supply systems, sewage disposal systems or storm water systems.

“Regional flood control project.” A project to construct, rehabilitate or upgrade a flood control system that is owned by two or more municipalities or authorities.

“Regional systems.” Two or more water supply, sewage disposal or storm water systems managed or operated as an integrated system regardless of whether the system is physically connected.

“Regional water supply, sewage disposal or storm water project.” A project to construct, rehabilitate or upgrade a water supply system, sewage disposal system or storm water system that is owned by two or more municipalities or by a municipal authority that provides a water or sewer system for, or water or sewer services to, two or more municipalities.

“Unsafe dam.” A dam designated by the Department of Environmental Protection with deficiencies of such a nature that if not corrected, the deficiencies could cause a failure of the dam with subsequent loss of lives or substantial property damage.

“Water or sewer project.” The acquisition, construction, improvement, including the installation of security measures, expansion, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of a water supply system, sewage disposal system or storm water system.