West Chester staff outline sewer upgrades and pump purchases; phase 1 construction eyed for late summer

Public works staff briefed the committee on ongoing wastewater capital projects and near-term equipment purchases, including permits for a major sewer upgrade, procurement of sludge pumps, and installation of chemical storage tanks.

A staff speaker reported utility locating and video survey work for Maple Alley is complete and the design and DEP permit application are with the engineering firm Penone; staff said the goal is to submit permit materials by late May or early June, bid in July and award in August, with construction for Phase 1 targeted for completion between September and November. “We’re gonna design phase 1 and 2. We’re gonna bid phase 1 this year, complete it this year,” the staff speaker said.

Capital purchase orders discussed include a $29,000 primary sludge pump for Taylor Run (delivery 8–10 weeks) and two primary sludge pumps for Goose Creek with similar lead time. Staff also requested purchase orders for two 2,000-gallon chemical storage tanks ($59,000) and pumps/flow meters (approximately $23,820) for chemical feed systems.

Operational work updates: staff reported preventive maintenance at Goose Creek and Taylor Run, relining a storm sewer at Hoops Park, cleaning pump stations and starting a joint infiltration and inflow program with planned manhole inspections, video inspections and line metering.

Next steps: staff will continue design and permit submittal to DEP, complete procurements with anticipated 8–10 week deliveries for pumps, and proceed with bidding the Phase 1 construction package; specific contract award dates were not recorded in the transcript.