Some sewers will be repaired in Allegheny Township.

Butler County Commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the use of $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to repair sewer systems at the AC Valley Industrial Park.

The project is estimated to cost a total $5.5 million and be completed by March of 2024.

Mark Gordon, the county’s chief of economic development and planning, said the ARPA funds would be supplemented by grants, including a H20 grant of $977,000 from the state.

“We’re going to piece it together a dollar at a time,” he said.

Gordon said the park, near Interstate 80 and Route 38, has been under a consent order from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for nearly four years due to failing water and sewage systems.

Gordon was also approved by the commissioners to request matching gifts of $500,000 from Armstrong, Clarion and Venango counties. According to Gordon and Commissioner Kim Geyer, information meetings have been held with other county commissioners regarding the sewage issues.

“That’s been a project that’s failing for years and has been on a watchlist,” she said. “If the project wasn’t being addressed, it would revert back to Allegheny Township, which would be possible for tax-paying residents.”

Commissioner Leslie Osche pointed out that a portion of ARPA funds were previously allocated for water and sewer projects.

Gordon said the remediation of the sewer and water system could be expanded to include residential properties.

“This would allow for additional development of remote locations,” he said. “We don’t want to spend another $5.5 million down the road.”

He added that AC Valley Industrial Park has 600 employees, one-fourth of those residing in Butler County.

“The systems are dilapidated and deteriorated,” he said. “I think we’ve done an effective job of communicating the dire straights, and how this could (have) an economic impact if not addressed.”