Delmont officials made the next partial payment last week on the borough’s large-scale, state-mandated sewage project, putting just more than $267,000 toward an collection point on Christy Road and the relocation of a sewage line in Salem.
The pressurized sewage line along with a gravity sewage line runs through the property of the Rock Springs Trust. That’s where, during heavy rains, a mix of stormwater and untreated sewage has previously discharged onto the property and into a tributary of Beaver Run.
On Nov. 22, the sewage system experienced roughly 250,000 gallons of flow without any discharges, according to engineer Dalton Mack.
“Historically, when the borough’s had that flow in a single day, usually that day or the day after we’d see overflows, and we did not,” Mack said.
The lines have required multiple repairs over the years, and stormwater runoff had eroded portions of the stream, exposing several sections of line.
“That’s the purpose of this project,” Councilman Stan Cheyne said. “I know we’re spending all of this money, but it’s so that we can contain sewage where it’s supposed to be.”
Authority meetings
Beginning in 2025, Delmont’s stormwater fee will be added to residents’ Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority bills.
For all single-family homes, the fee is a flat $10 per month. Fees for commercial or larger properties are calculated based on the amount of impervious area a property contains.
The Delmont Stormwater Authority will meet on the following dates at 6:30 p.m. in the borough building at 77 Greensburg Street: Feb. 25, April 29 and Jun 24.
Sewage rate
The Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority announced a rate increase for Delmont customers beginning in 2025.
The rates will increase by $1.60, for a total bill amount of $83.94.