SHARPSVILLE Sewer bills to rise to pay for plant expansion

SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Borough residents can expect to see their sewer bills rise between $9 and $14 a month to help pay for a $20 million expansion of the Sharon sewage treatment plant.
Sharpsville is part of the Upper Shenango Valley Water Pollution Control Authority, which sends sewage to the Sharon plant for treatment and is, therefore, required to pick up some of the plant improvement cost.
The authority's share is expected to be $7 million, and Michael Wilson, Sharpsville borough manager, said Sharpsville makes up two-thirds of the authority, putting the borough's share at about $4.6 million.
Borough council voted 6-0 Tuesday, with Robert Piccirilli absent, to participate in the project.
The borough had little choice as the state Department of Environmental Protection has mandated that the plant be improved to increase its capacity from 4.5 million gallons per day to 8.66 million gallons per day.
The average residential monthly sewer bill in Sharpsville is $27.70 now.
Wilson said the amount of the monthly increase likely will depend on how the project is financed.
If Sharon is able to get grants to help reduce the local cost, the increase for Sharpsville residents will be in the $9 range, he said.
Hermitage and South Pymatuning Township are the other members of the Upper Shenango authority. Neither has approved the project yet.