DUBOIS – The results of a feasibility study for public water in the West Sandy Township area revealed that a public water project is feasible, according to Mark Glenn, consulting engineer with Gwin, Dobson & Foreman.
The announcement was made at Monday night’s Sandy Township Municipal Authority meeting. The project would cost around $4 million, according to Glenn.
Glenn stated that the township had a few notable options for funding for the project. The first was PENNVEST in the form of loan money. The second was the US Department of Agriculture’s Department of Rural Utility Services in the form of grant and loan package.
Glenn said that the project would consist of about 44,500 feet of piping and a 250,000 gallon water tank. Rates for the new customers would depend on what approach the supervisors took on the project. Glenn said they fold the new customers into the existing customer base or leave them independent. Those scenarios would lead to rates of $45 to $90 a month.
Glenn added that it would all depend on the funding and terms. He also added that the new customers would have to pay a tap-on fee, which he estimated at around $1,500. According to Dick Castonguay, township manager, the low-to-middle income township residents could possibly apply for Community Development Block Grant Funding for help in paying their tap-on fees.
Residents of the areas to affected in attendance were split about 50-50 on being for or against the proposed project. Some residents stated they did not like being forced to take city water when they were content with the water they have now. Other residents voiced their concerns over health and safety issues involving their current water systems.
To get the ball rolling, the supervisors approved submitting their feasibility study to the USDA during their regular meeting that followed the municipal meeting.
“I’m happy to see everything moving forward out there with the water project,” said Dave Sylvis, township supervisor.