Elkland authority finallizes application for wastewater plant upgrade | Local | tiogapublishing.com

The Elkland Borough Authority met in special session Oct. 29 to finalize the application for a Pennsylvania Infrastructure Authority loan.

If secured, the $1,863,730 will be used to make improvements at the wastewater treatment facility to satisfy the consent order now in place with the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection.

Improvements are to include upgrades to the influent pump station, aeration system, chlorine contact chamber, blowers, plant operation controls, health and safety upgrades, generator replacement, and supernatant pump station.

The authority has also applied for grant funds to offset the loan if granted to the borough.

LaBella Associates of Rochester are the engineers involved with the project.

The borough has been in violation of the Clean Streams Laws and was cited in October 2022. The borough entered into the consent order with the Department of Environmental Protection to resolve the matter.

The borough must adhere to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which limits the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous that can be discharged to the Cowanesque River. If the sewage treatment plant discharges more than the amount permitted, the borough must buy credits from other plants to offset the excess discharge.

In November 2022, the borough was cited for failing to comply with the Act by not developing the required Standard Operating Procedure; by failing to meet the permit’s effluent limits in June, July, August and September; and and by exceeding the permit’s sludge level in the digester lagoon with no plan in place for its removal.

The Elkland Borough Authority will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 7.

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