Water survey response only 37 percent
LOWER TYRONE TWP. – A water-supply survey, issued by consulting engineers Bankson Engineers, Inc., of Indianola, wasn’t very successful, according to Judith B. Spray, Bankson administrative assistant. Spray and project engineer Michael Basista, PE, reported Thursday that only 48 out of 131 Lower Tyrone Township residents responded to the survey. Basista said the 48 amounted to a 37 percent response.
“The survey was sent out because the township supervisors have received numerous requests from resident in need of a dependable and safe source of drinking water,” said Basista. “Private groundwater sources, such as wells and springs, have been adversely affected by coal mining and drought and are unable to meet the needs of many township residents.”
Basista said consideration is being given to applying for grants and low-interest loans from state and federal agencies to provide water to Lucky, Higbee, Stoney Brook and Woods lanes and Linden Hall, Banning and Carson roads.
Basista also said that consideration is being given to building a storage tank and pumping station to supply water to the area.
Over the past 10 years the township has provided public drinking water to Chanintown, School, a portion of Banning, Sproat, Davis, Gault, Mill, Gillespie, Cunningham Bridge and Jimtown roads in addition to a portion or Route 819.
The problem now, according to Spray, is to determine how to get the water to the most people in a cost-effective manner.
“The plan we are presently looking at will cost about $2 million,” said Spray. “We found out tonight that we need to do another survey. Several people told us that they either weren’t interested in a public water supply or that they could not afford the $1,025 tap-in fee proposed by the North Fayette County Municipal Authority (NFCMA).”
Spray said that cost could be brought down to $425 if part of the fee was built into the project. She also said although $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds would be available for the project, the township supervisors would have to come up with the other $1.5 million in the form of a low interest loan or raise taxes.
One Cottom Road man asked why water couldn’t be brought in from Westmoreland County (the Reagan Town area) since the water company just agreed to bid out a waterline extension on the other side of Cunningham Bridge Road.
Spray said the last time she talked with Westmoreland representatives they had no plans to come close to Lower Tyrone Township, however, she said she will certainly talk with officials.
“That would be ideal since they already have their own pumping and holding station,” said Spray. But, we first have to send out another survey to see how many people really are interested in the project.”
The questions on the first survey were as follows:
– Do you ever run out of water?
– Does anyone in the household experience frequent or extended periods of upset stomach, nausea or diarrhea?
– Do you have a home/commercial water treatment system?
– Is your residence or business located within 150 feet of the public road right-of-way?
– Are you willing to pay a tap-in fee of approximately $1,025 and a monthly water bill of approximately $40?
– Do you want public water service at your property?
Basista said 12 out of the 48 respondents said they have run out of water and that they have experienced sickness, 23 or the 48 said they had a water treatment system and 40 of the 48 said they want public water.
Basista said the $40 a month bill was projected by NFCMA. He also said that $20 of the bill would go toward the loan on the project and $18 would pay for 4,000 gallons of water this year. The price of water is expected to go to $19 for 4,000 gallons next year.
Spray said it will take anywhere between six weeks and two months to get another survey together and have it distributed.
Supervisor Luke Knapp agreed to go house to house with the survey to make sure everyone on the proposed route gets a copy of the form.