Residents involved in developing sewer plant in Connoquenessing
The sewage system project being developed in Connoquenessing Township has input from its supervisors and residents, who are working together to create a plan affordable to the township.
Bill Long, a former member of the Connoquenessing Township Sewer Authority and a longtime resident of the township, said the original proposal for the plan was too expensive and too invasive, which the supervisors scaled back following feedback from residents.
The original proposal had a cost of $22 million “servicing the southeastern portion of Connoquenessing Township and a small section of Connoquenessing borough,” according to the sewer authority’s website.
The plan is being developed to comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Act 537, but the sewer authority is “working to provide public sewage to residents and businesses in a proactive manner on its own schedule and terms.”
Long said the project has escalated in cost to a proposed $29 million, which the township and residents are attempting to lower.
“We are a second-class township; we don't have $29 million to throw at a sewer system,” Long said. “What they have got to do is cut down the size, take care of the Route 68 corridor and then grow from there. Once you are started, you can expand it with the money that comes in.”
The township is working with the engineering firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic to develop a plan at an affordable cost, Long said.
Long also said the DEP has been open to cooperating with Connoquenessing Township, but he would like to see the township come up with a proposal agreed upon by residents and supervisors before approaching the DEP for final approval.
At meeting of the Connoquenessing supervisors Wednesday, the board members opened dialogue with Long and other township residents in attendance. Long said he has been happy with the supervisors’ communication with residents in recent months.
“We're trying to do our best to do this at a low cost, satisfy the DEP and help the citizens,” he said. “As far as we are concerned, we are all one on this.”
