CLEARFIELD – The Pine Grove North water main extension project may get an extension of its own, according to Engineer Jim Balliet of Gwin, Dobson & Foreman Inc. engineers of Altoona.
The project bid was awarded to DNR Directional Boring and Clearfield Municipal Authority is now waiting for the state Department of Environmental Protection to give the go ahead for the company to start the work.
However, Balliet said DEP has additional money and wants CMA to look into extending the waterline even further. Balliet said it will depend on how much money is available for them to determine the extent of the additional line.
“I can’t stress enough how important that project is to us,” said Chairman Russ Triponey, who added that they were able to do the project due to grant money from DEP.
Balliet added that instead of bidding the project again, DEP is planning to make the extension a change order to the original project.
In regards to the Sanitary Sewer Overflow near the Hyde Bridge, Balliet said it was opened several times recently and they will probably be looking at it being opened into the river three to four times this month.
DEP wants this SSO closed by September and he said he has talked with Lawrence Township’s engineer about the corrective action plan to get it closed. If it isn’t closed, DEP will begin fining CMA $10,000 per day.
Balliet recommends a meeting be arranged between himself, CMA, the township and the township’s engineer before the next meeting.
Originally the township’s plan had been to replace all the laterals to within five feet of the homes. However, the inflow and infiltration problems have been investigated and found to be within the five feet limit, and that would include French drains, sump pumps and other issues.
CMA is concerned the township will not meet the deadline. The township is responsible for 80 percent of the cost of the fines.
