Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Over the last few months, the Williamsburg Municipal Authority has been looking to add an extension of either water, sewer, or both out to Yellow Springs, due to residents’ concerns.
Stiffler-McGraw Engineer John Clabaugh discussed the issue with a Blair County planning specialist about the 12 homes along Yellow Springs Road.
Clabaugh was told that the county would accept a “Component 3m form” instead of a complete Act 537 plan. The estimated cost of the preparation of the “3m” would be $25,000, Clabaugh said.
According to the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), municipalities are required to develop and implement comprehensive official plans that provide for the resolution of existing sewage disposal problems, provide for the future sewage disposal needs of new land development, and provide for future sewage disposal needs of the municipality.
This official plan is called the Act 537 plan. When a new land development project is proposed, municipalities are required to revise their official plan, unless the project is exempt from planning.
The Sewage Facilities Planning Module Application Mailer is the first step in this process and must be submitted for all new land development projects, except for those projects that meet the qualifications for the use of a Component 1 planning module.
The mailer information is used by DEP to determine whether sewage facilities planning is required, and if so, what type of planning is appropriate for a project.
“Component 3m, Minor Act 537 Update Revisions,” is used by local municipalities and municipal authorities proposing minor update revisions to their existing Act 537 Official Plan.
Clabaugh also prepared costs for the total projects - $380,000 for just sewer and $825,000 for both sewer and water.
The Component 3m needs to be adopted by the township (Catharine) before the project can move forward, regardless of whether or not it is prepared by the authority or by Catharine Township.
Authority members discussed contacting Pa. state Sen. Judy Ward’s office for grant money that might be available for a Component 3m revision.
Ongoing pump problems
Clabaugh then discussed options regarding the failing wet well pumps at the wastewater treatment plant. Over the last year, the authority has discussed multiple failures at plant caused by customers flushing wet wipes, rags, toys and other inappropriate items.
Clabaugh has worked with Borough Manager Joe Lansberry on other options to stop failure of the pumps.
Clabaugh got an offer of $16,750 to cover the cost of a less-electrically efficient pump, but one that is capable of “chopping” rags to avoid pump failure.
The company, Vaughan Chopper Pumps of Montesano, Wash., is offering to provide the pump at no additional cost provided that the authority agrees to pay for the pump after its performance has been proven during a 90-day trial period following installation.
Currently, there are three wet well pumps in treatment plant and this solution would only work on one. Clabaugh told the authority members, “this option is the least costly of the other options.”
Authority Member David Myers made a motion to agree to the pump installation and purchase based on performance after the trial period with Authority Member Daryl Cole seconding. The motion passed.
Reader Comments(0)