Officials approve sewer project at the city's treatment plant

Some monthly sewer bills could go up by as much as $20.
& lt;a href=mailto:gwin@vindy.com & gt;By HAROLD GWIN & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The last municipal approvals are in place for a proposed $20.5 million expansion/improvement project at the Sharon sewage treatment plant.
Sharon officials approved the plan a month ago but the three municipal members of the Upper Shenango Valley Water Pollution Control Authority -- Sharpsville, Hermitage and South Pymatuning Township -- had to approve it as well before it is sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for its approval.
The authority channels sewage from all of Sharpsville and portions of Hermitage and South Pymatuning to the Sharon plant for treatment, accounting for one-third of the total flow.
Under that contractual arrangement, the authority, through its members, are responsible for one-third of any improvements required at the plant.
The authority's share of the cost is estimated at about $7 million.
Sharpsville estimated its share of that amount at about $4.6 million. Hermitage and South Pymatuning will each have to come up with about $1 million, although the numbers aren't finalized yet.
The municipalities won't pay it directly but it will be covered by sewer fees levied against their residents using the system.
Breakdown of increases
Sharpsville approved the plan several weeks ago. Residents there can expect to see their average monthly sewage bill rise from $25 to about $39 to cover the project, officials there have said.
South Pymatuning Township Supervisors approved the plan last week.
Supervisor Mike Nashtock said the estimated 500 township residents tied into the sewer system can expect to see their monthly bills rise, although no one has determined how much yet.
The average residential bill is $20 a month now and it could go as high as $35 a month, he said.
Hermitage commissioners approved the plan Wednesday, but said their residents in the system won't see any rate increase. That's because a rate increase they enacted Jan. 1 will cover the additional cost. Hermitage residents saw their fees rise from $66 to $84 a quarter and they will go up to $90 on Jan. 1, 2004, and $95 on Jan. 1, 2005.
Sharon residents can expect to see their sewer rates rise as well. The average bill now is $20 a month but that could go to $35 or $40 a month with this project, city officials have said.
The DEP has mandated that Sharon expand its plant from its 4.5 million gallons per day capacity to 8.66 million gallons per day to eliminate sewage overflows into the Shenango River during periods of wet weather.
& lt;a href=mailto:gwin@vindy.com & gt;gwin@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;