DP News

November 18, 2009

Local agencies get sewer grants

Municipalities in Luzerne County and two in Wyoming County divvy up $2.2M.

Times Leader Staff

HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell has announced the awarding of $2.2 million in sewage facilities enforcement grants to 281 local agencies to reimburse costs associated with permitting on-lot sewage systems during 2008.

Eleven municipalities are in Luzerne County and two are in Wyoming.

The annual grants are awarded through Act 537, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, which authorizes the state Department of Environmental Protection to reimburse local governments for a percentage of the annual costs incurred in assuring that new and repaired on-lot systems are properly sited, designed, permitted and inspected.

“More than half of Pennsylvania’s residents rely on wells and groundwater for drinking water, so it is vitally important that we give local government the support to protect these resources through sewage Enforcement Grants,” Rendell said.

“We worked with the legislature to continue funding this program, but we also encourage municipalities to consider following the successful models of other local agencies and attempt to recover additional program costs, perhaps even the full cost of administering the program, through increased permit fees.”

Luzerne County municipalities that received funding through the program are: Black Creek Township, $1,557.63; Butler Township, $1,303.69; Conyngham Borough, $79.69; Conyngham Township, $47.81; Dorrance Township, $926.90; Franklin Township, $1,395.87; Hollenback Township, $392.58; Nuangola Borough, $201.88; Ross Township, $908.27; Sugarloaf Township, $3,048.31; and Union Township, $790.50.

In Wyoming County, two townships received grants: Eaton Township got $263.53 and Tunkhannock Township received $1,205.49.

Act 537 authorizes DEP to reimburse up to 85 percent of the remaining local share. The department is providing reimbursements that are approximately 60 percent lower than in previous years because of economic conditions. Under reductions in the 2009-10 budget, the department will reimburse applicants at 42.5 percent of their eligible costs.

Malfunctioning sewer systems are one of the prime causes of waterborne disease. There are more than 1 million on-lot septic systems in Pennsylvania serving an estimated 3.7 million people.

The state is providing reimbursements that are approximately 60 percent lower than in previous years because of economic conditions.

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