Bowmanstown correcting DEP violations

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found a few problems with Bowmanstown’s sewer treatment system.

On Tuesday, Mark Bahnick, a senior professional engineer at Van Cleef Engineering and the borough’s sewer engineer, told council members that DEP sent a notice of violation to the borough on July 11. The notice listed three violations, which included: inadequate sludge drying beds, a lack of dechlorination, and inflow of stormwater and groundwater into the sewer system.

DEP cited several areas in June 2018 where the effluent was over the value allowed by the permit.

In one case, fecal coliform is limited to 1,000 per 100 milliliters. When tested, the amount was 17,000 per 100 milliliters, according to the notice from DEP.

The violation letter said DEP sent a notice for similar violations in 2018.

Bahnick said the current three sludge drying beds are inadequate in size.

“Too much sludge is being kept in the water process,” he said, adding DEP considers the current setup to be one that “adversely affects the process and makes effluent quality lower,” he said.

The borough has been handling the situation by paying to have the extra sludge hauled away by truck, Bahnick said. It costs less than creating additional beds.

The cost to haul it away is $11,000 a year, said council member Darren Thomas, who heads the sewer committee. But now the borough is facing fines and a violation has been issued.

Bahnick recommends that three more drying beds be constructed. This would double the capacity, but the cost would be about $525,000.

Because the construction is a necessity, Bahnick thinks the borough could qualify for two grants to help with the cost: the Water PA Program and the Pennsylvania Small Water System Grant.

During the meeting, a resident asked Bahnick if the additional beds would increase the smell. He said no. Thomas added that by adding more beds and using them properly, the beds become more of a wetland instead of being more sludge than water.

As far as the dechlorination issue, that problem is expected to be resolved very soon.

The sewer department ordered a new chlorine mixer but when it arrived, they discovered that it was damaged. It had to be sent back for warranty repair and/or replacement. Thomas said they expect the new equipment to be delivered next week. Once it arrives, it will be installed.

“There should be a measurable difference once it is installed,” said council member Rob Moyer.

The equipment removes chlorine from water that is going to be put into the Lehigh River. Bahnick said the cost of the equipment is $25,000.

Bahnick said DEP could impose fines now for the violations, but prefers to allow the borough to use the money to fix the problems.

The third issue, the inflow of waste water into the borough’s sewer system, is not a problem that is unique, Bahnick said. Many municipalities have problems with inflow and infiltration of stormwater or groundwater into the sewer system. Damage to pipes can allow this water to seep into the system.

On Tuesday, the borough conducted a smoke test to look for leaks and found some.

“We have a lot of positive leads and found some damaged areas,” Thomas said. “We need further investigation due to the excessive smoke.”

Borough crews also discovered a manhole was paved over by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Fireline Road, Thomas said. The borough plans to open up that line next week, and council approved hiring a road crew to direct traffic.

DEP set up a meeting with Bowmanstown officials on Aug. 28. In response to DEP’s notice of violation, Bahnick prepared a letter for council to approve. The letter provides cost figures to remedy the problems and a timeline for the work. He recommended beginning remediation in November, with completion in June 2021. He is striving for an earlier completion date, but wants to provide a buffer with DEP if there is a delay.

Council President William Ravert added that the DEP can fine the borough $5,000 per day over the completion date.

Council voted to approve the letter pending approval from borough solicitor James Preston.

The sewer department is also working on some issues. A decant valve previously failed and released 4,000 gallons of untreated water into the Lehigh River, Thomas told the council. The valve has been fixed.

Thomas said a screener deflector needs to be replaced, and he met with a representative from Innovative Electrical Control Solutions Services Inc. to upgrade electrical and communication lines to a new shed. The upgrade will cost $4,318.