Peters hears concerns over new sewage system tap-ins
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A group of developers and homebuilders in Peters told council members Monday night that an ongoing dispute between a local sewerage provider and the Clairton Municipal Authority is costing them "hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs."
"This is a major problem," developer Woody Welsch said about a lack of new sewage system tap-ins. "We have learned that the watershed has been shut off."
At issue is the state Department of Environmental Protection's reluctance to approve sewage tap-ins for new homes in the Peters Creek Watershed, which includes lots in Peters, Nottingham, Union, Finleyville and Jefferson.
Developers and builders said they have been left in limbo for months, since the Peters Creek Sanitary Authority dissolved its sewage treatment agreement with the Clairton authority in October.
Saying it would be more cost-effective for local residents than Clairton's plan to expand its sewage treatment plant, PCSA members voted to construct a new, $16.9 million sewage treatment facility in Union.
Those plans, however, recently were dashed by the DEP, which rejected the application because the facility would have emptied into Peters Creek, a protected waterway.
The DEP has urged PCSA members to renew an agreement with Clairton, but until that happens, no new tap-ins will be approved.
Three developers and builders, including Mr. Welsch, Ted Taylor and Mark Hoskins, asked council members to get involved to help end the dispute, which is affecting 12 developers and 50 home builders.
"Basically, without taps we're out of work," Mr. Hoskins said.
With residential development rebounding in Peters in recent years, there are about 200 vacant lots that will be left undeveloped, costing the township and school district tax revenue, Mr. Welsch said.
The authorities remain far apart on several key issues, Peters Manager Michael Silvestri said, including steep rate hikes being proposed by Clairton for local residents.
"I don't see a quick resolution to this," Mr. Silvestri said.
First Published February 14, 2012 5:23 am
