Authority Prepares for Sewer Project in Ford City

Members of the Ford City Municipal Sewage Dispostal Authority met last night to review plans for a $1.6 million sewer separation project in the borough.

by David Croyle

Funding has been secured to separate sanitary sewer lines from storm sewers in a massive project planned this year in Ford City.

David G. Nichols, Consulting Engineer for the Ford City Municipal Sewage Disposal Authority, said the procedure was mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“When it rains, waste water overflows into the Allegheny River at 12^th Street and 8^th Street,” Nichols explained. “This discharges combined sewage into the river.”

Nichols said that during December, there were nine times when it rained and overflowed into the river. “This contaminates the river with untreated biological material,” he said.

The project will separate sewers from 12th to 17^th Streets and encompass Sixth Avenue to Third Avenue. Sanitary sewer lines will be separated from rain (storm) sewers with new service lines from every house. Residents will be responsible for private sections of the sewer on their property. Nichols said that there will be financial assistance available for low/moderate income residents and plans to hold public meetings to resolve the matter.

During a meeting of the Authority last night, Nichols reviewed funding for the project.

Nichols

“It is a $1.6 million project,” Nichols said. “After we requested the entire amount in a loan from PennVEST last year, we had an opportunity to apply for a state H2O grant.”

Nichols reported to the Authority that its application for the $785,000 H2O grant was selected for immediate funding. The grant agreement was executed for these funds and an executed copy has been received.

Although the H2O grant will pay for nearly half of the estimated construction costs, Nichols said the final cost for the project is yet to be determined.

“After bids are received, we will adjust amount of PennVEST funding necessary. Applications were filed a year ago with contingencies in it.  We have money to fund the project, but do not know how much we will need from PennVEST to conclude the work.” 

Because grants are structured to reimburse the Authority for monies spent, the Authority has also arranged to have a $500,000 line of credit with S&T Bank to contractors and materials can be paid prior to the reimbursement.

Nichols said the PennVEST money is a 20-year loan.  The interest rate would be fixed at 1.27% during the first five years, then be raised to 2.547% for the subsequent 15 years.

Authority Superintendent James Smerick has requested a work session with Ford City Council to explain the sewer separation project.

“They must understand fully what project entails so when they are asked questions they will be prepared to answer,” Smerick said.

Ford City councilman Lou Vergari has served on the Sewage Authority prior to being on Council.

“In the 18 years I have been here, this Authority has been great,” he said. “Apollo is tearing up their whole town now. We are further along than any other community in sewer separation.”