By BRIAN CARSON
Sentinel correspondent
LEWISTOWN — Grappling with longstanding sewer system challenges, the Borough of Lewistown is stepping into a new era of infrastructure management.
Following a detailed memorandum released at Wednesday’s meeting, the Council is gearing up to address infiltration and inflow (I&I) issues in its sewer lines, some dating back to the town’s founding in 1795.
The Borough has been combating I&I issues for years, a battle underscored by numerous memoranda and meetings with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Despite efforts, the complete resolution of these problems has remained elusive. The Borough’s collection system, comprising around 23 miles of sanitary sewer lines and 40 miles of service lateral connections, is under intense scrutiny.
In a bold move on Sept. 13, the Borough Council severed ties with its longstanding wastewater treatment plant engineering firm. The EADS Group has since been brought on board, effective Jan. 1, 2024, signaling a fresh approach to these persistent challenges.
Budget constraints have played a significant role in the Borough’s ability to address these issues. In 2022, $250,000 set aside for slip-lining work on 5th Street was redirected to cover unexpected costs in a PennDOT project.
Despite these setbacks, the Borough has not shied away from investing in critical equipment, including a $178,000 state-of-the-art camera system purchased in 2022 for sewer system inspection and a $435,444.69 Vactor Truck in 2021.
The American Rescue Plan Act funding brought a glimmer of hope, but the Borough’s request for $1,327,000 was met with a counteroffer of a $200,000 loan from the county, which the Council declined.
So far, the Borough has spent about $840,000 on wastewater system repairs and maintenance. About 12 miles of sewer lines have been inspected with the new camera system. However, much remains to be done. The comprehensive plan involves extensive video inspection of over 51 miles of sewer lines, slip-lining repairs, and GIS mapping of all sanitary and stormwater lines.
The Council is now poised to focus on eliminating SSOs, managing EDU (Equivalent Dwelling Units) moratoriums, and addressing legal complexities, including a review of a 1982 inter-municipal agreement.
The Council must also contemplate adding new EDUs to the system, especially given the I&I challenges and future housing developments in neighboring Derry Township.
Facing these challenges, the Lewistown Borough Council’s commitment to a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan Directive reflects a community determined to address its infrastructure issues head-on.
With the engagement of new expertise, significant financial investment, and a detailed action plan, Lewistown resolved to turn a page in its history of wastewater management. This commitment addresses current issues and sets the stage for a more sustainable and efficient future for the Borough’s infrastructure.
The Borough’s journey ahead is marked with ambitious goals and deadlines, stretching well into the next decade. The task list is extensive, from ongoing sewer line inspections to creating a sub-basin management program and repairing structural defects. Coordination with neighboring municipalities, especially regarding flow monitoring, remains a critical component of this plan.
With estimated costs yet to be determined and prioritization of tasks being refined, the Council’s next steps are pivotal.
The community watches closely as its leaders navigate the complexities of environmental compliance, fiscal responsibility, and infrastructural resilience. This comprehensive plan’s outcome will affect current residents and pave the way for future generations in Lewistown.
In other news, from Council:
Borough Manager, Kim Zimmerman reported on multiple key issues including the Digester DCED ARPA Grant, updates on the Streets-Parking Board and Parking Authority, and open positions of Deputy Director of Public Works and a clerk/secretary.
The Council addressed the 39-50% increase in the WWTP Sludge Removal Contract and reviewed the current status of delinquent taxes, totaling $130,901.41 with 21 accounts over $61,000 delinquent.
The Borough also looked into unfinished and new business items, including healthcare, local cost-share grants for station renovation and stormwater system GIS mapping, and various requests and agreements related to the borough’s operations.
