Study shows sewerage system could be extended in Redstone
REDSTONE TWP. – A preliminary study shows that it could be economically feasible for the Redstone Township Sewer Authority to extend its system to the area of the Route 40/Route 166 intersection. Don Reho of Widmer Engineering said the authority could pick up about 400 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU) with the project, which would include Brownsville General Hospital, the Hunters Ridge apartment complex, businesses along Route 166 and businesses along Route 40 as far as Davidson Siding Road. Reho said it does not appear feasible at this time to extend the line as far as Colonial School, since that stretch would only pick up another 40 EDU, but he said the plan would permit that expansion in the future.
The authority voted to ask the township to pursue a complete Act 537 sewage treatment study for the corridor, opening the door for future construction.
“There’s room for expansion up there,” said authority chairman Dwayne Thomas.
Thomas said the authority should be aware of the potential loss of income from the Dunlap Creek Village apartments run by the Fayette County Housing Authority. Thomas said the housing authority has been talking about closing the apartment complex, which is currently at about half capacity.
“That’s about $3,000 a month we could lose in revenues. If we lose that, there would be no choice for the authority but to contemplate raising rates,” Thomas said.
Solicitor Jack Purcell said it is unlikely that the housing authority will take action in the immediate future, and possible for as long as a year or more. Purcell said it is also possible that even if the apartment complex is torn down and the land sold, other development would take its place to offset some of the loss to the sewer authority.
Purcell reported that disputes continue with the Allison Volunteer Fire Department and a man in Cardale, neither of which has tapped into the sewer system. The disputes involve sewer line placement and responsibility for grinder pump installation. Both cases are in the court system.