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The long awaited ceremonial ground breaking for the new central sewer treatment plant in Honesdale is scheduled for Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m. The $14.5 million plant is expected to bring expanded wastewater treatment capacity for the growing region, replace old infrastructure with up to date technology, and provide much cleaner water leaving the plant.
Central Wayne Regional Authority (CWRA) board met Monday night, and heard an update on the treatment plant and plans for separating storm water from sewer lines in Honesdale Borough, as well as addressed questions and concerns of residents who are served by the sewer system.
Bryon Killian, an employee with Entech Engineering, the consulting firm contracted by CWRA, said that a notice to proceed with the plant was given the contractors on August 11th. Construction office trailers are expected to arrive on site, near the existing plant, by the end of this week. The project is anticipated to be finished by January 14, 2011.
Another major project to get underway in the fall of 2009 is the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project. PENNVEST, the state financing authority, has approved a $6.8 million grant to do the line separation work under borough streets. Killian was hopeful for a good turnout at a pre-bid meeting September 11.
Local road opening permits will be needed from the borough. Killian said that the Borough was being reasonable concerning inspection fees. He also said that he has met with Aqua Pennsylvania officials about water main replacement work Aqua Pa. is planning in Honesdale. Aqua Pa. may be willing to split road restoration costs with CWRA. He stated that the local gas company was not planning any line replacement work.
“We’re all trying to work together,” Killian said of the local utility companies, “unlike in the past.”
• Honesdale resident Teresa Bates asked why the sewer Authority bills everyone the same, whether the household consists of a family or a single person. She noted that the water company is now using a meter based in actual usage. CWRA solicitor Anthony Magnotta explained that the sewer plant has fixed costs no matter how much the sewer system is used. Chairman Martin Young said that a standard, average rate is utilized rather than attempt to keep track of how many people are in a household.
• Carol Santos, of Texas Township, asked how nonfunctioning sewer hookups will be handled. Young stated that a customer could either declare the hookup inactive and the billing stops, or pay a reservation fee to maintain the inactive permit. The board is discussing a $50 quarterly fee.
• Lake Cadjaw Watershed Association has been given approval to raise the lake level as much as five and a half feet, at a rate of a foot a year. Treatment Plant Manager Dan Guinther advised checking the elevation of manholes and pump stations in the area to see whether this would impact the sewer system.
• Two manholes on Old Willow Avenue were inspected, where a build up of hydrogen sulfide has deteriorated the concrete. The hydrogen sulfide has been creating a bad odor problem for residents in the area. Guinther stated that the cost to do a televised inspection of the sewer line may cost about $4,000. Approximately 2,000 feet between the Texas Township border and the junction with Route 6 will have to be checked, to see the condition of the pipe.
• About $2,000 will be spent to have Entech inspect manholes in Cherry Ridge Township, where cement is breaking up and grit is causing a problem for the pump station. Cherry Ridge customers also will receive a letter advising them that rags must not be sent through the system.
The next CWRA meeting is set Sept. 28 at 6 p.m., at the Honesdale Professional Building, 100-4th Street, Suite 39. The office may be contacted at 647-0275.
The long awaited ceremonial ground breaking for the new central sewer treatment plant in Honesdale is scheduled for Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m. The $14.5 million plant is expected to bring expanded wastewater treatment capacity for the growing region, replace old infrastructure with up to date technology, and provide much cleaner water leaving the plant.
Central Wayne Regional Authority (CWRA) board met Monday night, and heard an update on the treatment plant and plans for separating storm water from sewer lines in Honesdale Borough, as well as addressed questions and concerns of residents who are served by the sewer system.
Bryon Killian, an employee with Entech Engineering, the consulting firm contracted by CWRA, said that a notice to proceed with the plant was given the contractors on August 11th. Construction office trailers are expected to arrive on site, near the existing plant, by the end of this week. The project is anticipated to be finished by January 14, 2011.
Another major project to get underway in the fall of 2009 is the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project. PENNVEST, the state financing authority, has approved a $6.8 million grant to do the line separation work under borough streets. Killian was hopeful for a good turnout at a pre-bid meeting September 11.
Local road opening permits will be needed from the borough. Killian said that the Borough was being reasonable concerning inspection fees. He also said that he has met with Aqua Pennsylvania officials about water main replacement work Aqua Pa. is planning in Honesdale. Aqua Pa. may be willing to split road restoration costs with CWRA. He stated that the local gas company was not planning any line replacement work.
“We’re all trying to work together,” Killian said of the local utility companies, “unlike in the past.”
• Honesdale resident Teresa Bates asked why the sewer Authority bills everyone the same, whether the household consists of a family or a single person. She noted that the water company is now using a meter based in actual usage. CWRA solicitor Anthony Magnotta explained that the sewer plant has fixed costs no matter how much the sewer system is used. Chairman Martin Young said that a standard, average rate is utilized rather than attempt to keep track of how many people are in a household.
• Carol Santos, of Texas Township, asked how nonfunctioning sewer hookups will be handled. Young stated that a customer could either declare the hookup inactive and the billing stops, or pay a reservation fee to maintain the inactive permit. The board is discussing a $50 quarterly fee.
• Lake Cadjaw Watershed Association has been given approval to raise the lake level as much as five and a half feet, at a rate of a foot a year. Treatment Plant Manager Dan Guinther advised checking the elevation of manholes and pump stations in the area to see whether this would impact the sewer system.
• Two manholes on Old Willow Avenue were inspected, where a build up of hydrogen sulfide has deteriorated the concrete. The hydrogen sulfide has been creating a bad odor problem for residents in the area. Guinther stated that the cost to do a televised inspection of the sewer line may cost about $4,000. Approximately 2,000 feet between the Texas Township border and the junction with Route 6 will have to be checked, to see the condition of the pipe.
• About $2,000 will be spent to have Entech inspect manholes in Cherry Ridge Township, where cement is breaking up and grit is causing a problem for the pump station. Cherry Ridge customers also will receive a letter advising them that rags must not be sent through the system.
The next CWRA meeting is set Sept. 28 at 6 p.m., at the Honesdale Professional Building, 100-4th Street, Suite 39. The office may be contacted at 647-0275.
