Coopersburg Sewer Repair Plans May Exceed Allocated Budget

Coopersburg Council Tuesday night heard a sewer repair proposal that would cost more than is in the budget for such work. And although there was some disagreement, several officials said spending the extra money would reduce future costs and the borough's high water flow.

The repairs would be made under 9th Street and Carriage Drive and would include John Alley, according to Councilman Dennis Balascak, who presented the proposal. The plan calls for new parts and the use of Insituform, a type of pipe lining, to stop leaks.

Estimates came in at $41,600 for the 9th Street project and $26,000 for John Alley. The $67,600 total is higher than what is budgeted, something that concerned Councilman Harvey Greenland.

"It seems that's an awful lot of money for a repair," Greenland said.

But Balascak disagreed. "I know it's a budget and we try and estimate," he said, "but here comes the actual cost of what Insituform might be." He defended the proposed repairs. "It's not money wasted," he said. "I believe it's money well-spent to get the job done."

Ricki Snyder, the borough's water and sewer superintendent, agreed that the repairs were necessary. He singled out the 9th Street area as a long-existing problem. "I know money's always an issue, but we need to spend on [inflow and infiltration solutions]," Snyder said. "This area has been leaking since 2007."

In March 2010, the pipes in question were surveyed with video equipment and as many as 13 leaks were detected.

The repairs also would reduce the township's costs for using more than its allottted capacity of the collection system. "It's all about long term," council president Gary Hovis said. "Right now we're paying for rainwater essentially."

Council did not vote on the sewer proposal.

Coopersburg shares a collection system with Upper Saucon Township and is allotted 25 percent of the system. Due to problems with the township's system, the borough has repeatedly exceeded the limitation following heavy rains.

The next borough council meeting will be at 7pm on April 26.