Hampton approves design work for Allison Park sewer hookup and moves to use emergency powers for Wickline Road repairs

Township engineering staff told the council Feb. 12 they are pursuing several sewer‑related actions: a developer agreement and design for the Allison Park Industrial Complex to connect to Hampton’s sewer system, adoption of takeover ordinances for two completed developments (4 Seasons and a Wagner Road extension), and emergency repairs to exposed sanitary sewer lines off Wickline Road.

Allison Park hookup: Staff said the Allison Park Industrial Complex currently uses a failing package treatment plant and has proposed a force‑main and on‑site pump station to connect to Hampton’s gravity sewer. The complex spans five parcels (four in Hampton and one retail parcel in Shaler). Staff and the developer’s team agreed to a design that would extend about 150 feet of public sewer so the main crosses a high‑pressure gas line as a public main (staff said construction costs would be borne by the developer while the township would fund design). Engineering estimated the development’s demand at roughly six equivalent dwelling units; the township estimated tap fees would total about $32,000 and annual sewage charges roughly $3,500–$4,000 based on Hampton‑Shaler Water Authority billing patterns. Staff emphasized environmental benefit: replacing the aging package plant and stopping permitted discharges to Pine Creek.

Wickline Road emergency repairs: During an inspection staff discovered a plastic sewer line exposed and substantially shifted in the creek bed and a nearby 12‑inch clay line that had risen and was leaking. Staff said a significant storm could break the plastic force main. The township has applied for and, unexpectedly, already received an emergency DEP permit to access the creek for repairs and is soliciting contractor quotes; staff asked council to authorize using the township’s emergency purchasing powers (purchasing manual) so work can proceed quickly, to be ratified at a future meeting. In the memo staff had proposed releasing 50% of the $250,000 capital allotment for sanitary sewer rehabilitation to fund emergency work; staff said actual costs will be finalized once contractor quotes are received but that KLH’s estimates are lower than expected.

Other sewer items: KLH engineers reviewed and recommended enactment of ordinances to accept sanitary sewer systems from the 4 Seasons development and a Wagner Road extension. Staff also recommended release of developer security funds related to the 4 Seasons sewer takeover (about $136,000 earmarked for sanitary sewer items) and said Shaler Township had been kept informed of parcels that cross municipal boundaries.

Staff recommended proceeding with design, accepting the developer‑funded construction arrangement for Allison Park, and using emergency purchasing powers to repair Wickline Road sewer lines; council action to ratify emergency repairs will be requested at a subsequent meeting.