Allegheny County has galvanized Springdale Township’s pursuit of a state grant to eliminate the Carson Street sewage pump station.
The township received a letter from Nicolas Binfield, of the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, that supports the Carson Street project.
The station has been used to pump sewage to the Lower Allegheny Valley Joint Sanitary Authority’s treatment plant in Harmar.
Township commissioners said that during heavy rains, however, the pump station experiences persistent overflows that overwhelm it. The overflows result in the discharge of raw sewage into the surrounding area, which violates state and county environmental regulations.
Under the proposed project, the pump station would be eliminated. Instead, the sewage would be channeled to the Harmar plant through a new sewer line by way of gravity flow.
To fund the project, the township is applying for a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
“Until you get that (letter), you can’t even apply for the grant,” said township engineer Matt Pitsch.
“These are the projects that the county likes,” Township Manager Bill “Red” McElligott said.
In the past, the township has had to spend money on work to return the pump station to service after being flooded, commissioners said.
“This project will save the township money,” Commissioner Ken Igo said.
Overall, the project will involve installing 2,025 feet of 10-inch PVC pipe, seven manholes and concrete anchors for slope stabilization.
It also will include trail restoration along the Rachel Carson Trail, and erosion and sedimentation control measures.
After the receipt of the county’s letter, the commissioners unanimously approved application for the DCED grant.