Municipal authority OKs design preparation
BROWNSVILLE – The Brownsville Municipal Authority Tuesday gave Fayette Engineering the go-ahead to prepare the final design for the Swan Plan sewage collection system. Bill Johnson of Fayette Engineering said the authority has already received a grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development that will cover the full cost of the design, so the work can begin even though the authority is still waiting on the final funding offer from the USDA’s Rural Development program for construction of the project.
“That allows us to do the survey work while the weather is more suitable,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the final design should be completed shortly after the first of the year and no later than the middle of February, at which time it will be submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection for approval. Johnson said once DEP approval is received, the project can be put out for bids and construction should be able to start in the spring.
Johnson reported that he expects to have the final funding offer from the USDA before the authority’s December meeting. Johnson said the offer should include both loan and grant amounts.
The Swan Plan sewerage project will serve 59 customers in the Swan Plan and along Bull Run and Telegraph roads in Luzerne Township, as well as Patsy Hillman Park.
The authority’s treasurer, Henry Vulcan, reported that several of the authority’s certificates of deposit are coming due in December. Vulcan recommended that, given the current low interest rates being paid, the authority reinvest its funds for the shortest possible time period at the best available rate.
Plant manager Jimmy Knisley reported a significant reduction in flow by removing a storm sewer near the Market Street ramp from the sewer system.
Knisley said the flow at the plant has been reduced by more than 40 percent since June.
“That’s saving you about $200 a month in treatment costs,” Johnson said. “We anticipated a 25 to 30 percent reduction in flow and you’re seeing close to 50 percent.”
Knisley said there is also less wear and tear on the pump stations because the pumps are operating less frequently and gravel and other road debris isn’t getting into the system.