Randy Griffith
rgriffith@tribdem.com
JOHNSTOWN —
Expensive tap-in fees and a boost in rates make the extension and rehabilitation of sanitary sewer systems in Conemaugh and Richland townships a tough pill to swallow, but Pegasus Sewer Authority’s $21.3 million project is an investment in the future, leaders say.
“The authority pulled the trigger,” Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, said Tuesday during groundbreaking ceremonies.
“You had to make a decision. It had to be done and I am very proud that you did this.”
The project will install more than 125,000 feet of main lines and eliminate three pumping stations.
The state-ordered project is designed to cut rainwater infiltration to existing sewer lines and eliminate use of failing on-lot septic systems.
Areas reach from Ragers Corner to Cover Hill and sections of lower Solomon Run Road in Richland Township.
Funding includes a $14.8 million low-interest Rural Utilities Loan from federal stimulus funds, a $3.2 million state H2O grant, $3 million in Army Corps of Engineers federal stimulus money and $277,000 from tap-in fees.
Teamwork by federal, state and local agencies brought the maximum amount of government funding to the project, said U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Johnstown.
“You put the people together to make it happen,” Critz said. “I am thrilled to be standing here before you.”
The federal stimulus funds opened up the project to serve more customers while keeping their monthly bills affordable, said state Rep. Bryan Barbin, D-Johnstown.
“We have received that money for something that is important here for the next 100 years to come,” Barbin said.
Public sewer access will allow more homes to be built, businesses to expand and current property owners to remain in their homes, Barbin added.
The Pegasus project, along with sewer projects under way or ready for construction in Dale, Ferndale and East Conemaugh Borough, will take some of the pressure off Johnstown Redevelopment Authority’s Dornick Point sewage-treatment plant, Executive Director Ron Repak said. Excess sewage volume from storm-water runoff frequently overloads the plant.
The redevelopment authority is under state orders to fix the problem.
“It’s a great project,” Repak said at the Pegasus groundbreaking. “There will be
350 new customers. It has all new piping so we don’t have the concerns with infiltration and inflows.”
