Springdale Township sewer project troubles some residents

Officials plan to extend sewer lines to Melzena and Adeline streets because of problems with some of the homes' septic tanks.

However, several residents told the township supervisors on Thursday that their septic tanks work just fine. They also don't want to shell out extra money to tap into the system and install grinder pumps, which reduce sewage to finely ground particles.

Gary Deily, who has lived on Melzena Street for 40 years, suggested residents could tap into a sewer line that uses one pump station for the entire street, similar to other areas of the township.

Deily and others are concerned that the grinder pumps might malfunction, leaving them with more problems.

"We want (municipal) sewerage," Deily said. "We just want the right kind of sewerage."

Township officials said a central pump isn't possible for that area because of the elevation and the proximity of the homes to the proposed sewer line.

The project is moving ahead now because the township recently succeeded in getting a $200,000 grant for the $250,000 project.

The township plans to seek additional grant funds in an effort to pay for the project and ease the financial burden on residents.

The township began seeking funding in 2007 after receiving a letter from the Allegheny County Health Department, which stated that, of 13 Melzena Street properties the department surveyed, three septic tanks were leaking to the surface and seven had site limitations that precluded repairs.

The health department requested that the township determine the feasibility and cost of extending public sewage lines to the area.

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Springdale Township sewer project troubles some residents