Baldwin Borough officials said last night they must respond by Friday to a revised consent order issued last week by the Department of Environment Protection to the Pleasant Hills Sewer Authority and its three other member communities of Pleasant Hills, South Park Township and Whitehall.

The sewer authority, which operates a treatment facility handling more than 3 million gallons of sewage a day, has been directed to eliminate inflow and infiltration problems.

The four local communities earlier this year argued successfully that the individual studies were needed before the sewer authority proceeded with a proposed $17 million facility upgrade.

"It is important that we maintain a unified approach," borough Engineer Greg Scott said, expressing optimism that a final agreement to be approved by the end of this year will provide more time to complete corrective work.

Another meeting will be held next Wednesday at the DEP's Pittsburgh office.

In announcing a preliminary 2010 budget of $14.3 million, borough Manager Tim Little said although there will be no tax increase -- rates will remain at 6.6 mills -- there will be a substantial increase in sewer fees to help provide some $500,000 in revenues for sewer improvements. Residents will be paying an average of $108 more a year because of an overall 18 percent increase in their rates.

Officials also plan to seek a low interest Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority loan of $2.4 million to provide funding for necessary sewer line improvements in the Pleasant Hills Sewer Authority system.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.