$20 million flows into river cleanup

The Susquehanna River cleanup took a huge step forward with Friday’s announcement that $20 million in federal funds is on its way.

U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, said the project, which will correct sewer outfalls that release raw sewage into the river during periods of heavy rain or snowfall, is “transforming the river from a threat to an asset.”

With elected officials and government representatives at his side, Kanjorski spoke at the riverbank in Nesbitt Park. He said the recently passed Water Resources Development Act includes authorization for the $20 million for Wyoming Valley.

“This bill provides an important step to restoring the quality of the Susquehanna River to the state that it once was when the Native Americans inhabited Wyoming Valley,” Kanjorski said.

The latest funding will complement the $200 million levee project and $25 million in riverfront improvements, he said.

The state and county must provide an additional 25 percent – 12.5 percent or $3.5 million each – of the federal allocation.

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, said he would support the state’s requirement and Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen A. Urban said the county supports the project.

The funding will be used to rectify the sources of combined sewage overflows which cause the discharge of untreated sewage into the river. Kanjorski said this occurs approximately 37 times per year when sewers that are designed to collect rainwater and sewage in the same pipeline overflow.

Normally, wastewater goes to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority for treatment, but when the volume exceeds the capacity that the pipes can hold, they overflow. The project will separate the lines to isolate the sewage flow and prevent it from discharging into the river.

Rob Krehely, WVSA director of administration and planning, said an engineering study identified 16 of the 33 outfalls located above the proposed inflatable dam site as priority structures because of the number of overflow events each year. The WVSA services 55 combined sewage overflow sites, Krehely said.

The project will separate sanitary and storm sewers and direct sanitary sewer flows to the treatment plant, he said. When separation isn’t feasible, it will screen and disinfect overflows prior to discharge into the river.

The separation project on Ross Street in Wilkes-Barre is under way and should be completed in 2008. He said that site will be removed from the new list of project sites.

“Many people have had dreams of this project,” Pashinski said. “This is one more piece of the puzzle to improve our area and spur economic development.”

Urban said it has long been his dream to be able to eat a fish that he catches in the Susquehanna.

Kanjorski acknowledged the support of colleague, U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township.

“(Carney) understands the importance of cleaning up the Susquehanna River for the benefit of his constituents on the west side and mine on the east side of the river,” he said.

OVERFLOW SITES

The 16 combined sewage overflow sites are: Wilkes-Barre at the D&H Railroad Bridge; Old River Road; Ross Street; Market Street; Union Street; North Street; Courtright Street; North River Street; Mill Creek; River Street at Wilkes-Barre City Cemetery; Church Street, Kingston; Water Street, Forty Fort; Sullivan Street, Forty Fort; Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming; Schooley Avenue, Exeter; River Street, West Pittston; Wilkern Street, West Pittston.

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Paul Kanjorski announces he secures federal funding to correct sewer outfalls that release raw sewage.

OVERFLOW SITES

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