Redstone panel working on plant problems
REDSTONE TWP. – Storm water is continuing to cause problems at the Redstone Township sewage treatment plant and the sewer authority it taking steps to correct the situation. “We can’t continue to have this infiltration at the plant. It causes the plant to operate not at peak efficiency,” said Dwayne Thomas, chairman of the Redstone Township Sewer Authority.
Thomas said one way to identify the problem areas is to do house-to-house dye testing to make sure downspouts are not connected to the sanitary sewer system. Since Allison is closest to the plant and served by a single line, Thomas said it will be the easiest to test and will most likely be done first.
The authority has already looked into some of the larger individual buildings and building groups.
“I was told the downspout systems were completely out at Cardale (Elementary School), (Redstone) Middle School, and at Dunlap Creek Village,” Thomas said.
“Holy Rosary took theirs out before they tapped in,” said board member Ray Paris.
Thomas said that about six hours after it starts to rain, there is a sharp increase in the amount of effluent at the treatment plant, indicating that storm water is getting into the system. Waterproof covers have been installed on manholes in low-lying areas, though engineer Don Reho said other manholes may also get infiltration if water pools on the road, though it generally doesn’t add a large amount of water to a system.
In other matters, Thomas reported that the 2000 audit needs to be amended and the 2001 audit redone in order to be acceptable to Rural Utility Services, the agency that provided the authority with much of the funding for the sewer system and treatment plant. A new auditor has been hired and is working to correct the errors as well as to prepare the 2002 audit to RUS specifications.
Thomas also said that an interim plant operator will need to be used for a longer period than previously anticipated. The regular plant operator needs to take a test to upgrade his license, but the state Department of Environmental Protection told him that he won’t be able to take that test until August. He had planned to take the test in April.
Solicitor Jack Purcell said that a lawsuit that had been filed against the authority by Guardian Protection has been withdrawn. The suit was seeking payment for the installation of the alarm system at the treatment plant. The system was part of the original construction contract awarded to Merit Contracting. Purcell said Guardian will seek payment from Merit.