Sewer board OKs $67 million plan

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

BY DIANA FISHLOCK

Of The Patriot-News

The Lower Paxton Twp. Sewer Authority last night approved a $67 million plan to help the township remain in compliance with state Department of Environmental Protection standards.

DEP must approve the plan, which involves replacing 42 miles of asbestos and cement pipes in the Paxton Creek basin, which drains the western half of the township. The plan also includes building a wet weather pumping station and -- if needed -- storage facilities.

Township employees plan to meet with DEP officials before July 15.

In 2002, Lower Paxton agreed to implement a 15-year sewer collection system rehab in the Paxton Creek basin to end raw sewage discharges that occasionally happen after heavy storms, according to DEP documents.

The plan approved last night would address the worst areas first, so it would stop the raw sewer discharges as quickly as possible, said Jodi Reese of CET Engineering services, the authority's engineer. The proposal will ask DEP for 20 years to complete the project, but board members hope to finish it more quickly.

Residents' sewer bills likely would double over the next 20 years, but that equals less than 3 percent per year, according to authority member Norm Hoffer.

"You can't compare the $100 today with the $200, 20 years from now," he said. Rates now are about $95 per quarter.

According to the 2002 agreement with DEP, the township must eliminate sewer overflows in the Paxton Creek basin by 2012, said Jeffrey Wendle of CET. Overflows happen when extra water goes out manholes during heavy storms.

DIANA FISHLOCK: 255-8251 or dfishlock@patriot-news.com