Public Works committee approves Goose Creek sewer connection and corrective-action plan for PADEP submission

The West Chester Public Works Committee voted Jan. 7 to approve a connection management plan and a corrective action plan for the Goose Creek sewer system and authorized staff to submit the package to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).

The committee’s approval follows engineering work by Pinonie Associates that identifies capacity limits in parts of the Goose Creek collection system and lays out a three‑phase upgrade program tied to how and when new sewer connections may be allowed.

Mike Ellis, an engineer with Pinonie Associates, told the committee the borough and developers have submitted sewage facilities planning modules to PADEP for two large projects — 250 East Market Street and 410 South High Street — and that PADEP asked the borough to adopt a corrective action plan and a connection management plan before approving additional flow into the system. "We have submitted sewage facilities planning modules to PADEP for approval to allow for connections of 250 East Market Street project as well as 410 South High," Ellis said. He estimated the two developments would add about 70,000–80,000 gallons per day of new flow, roughly 10% more than current peak conditions.

The corrective action plan describes three implementation phases the consultant recommends to address capacity constraints identified on pipe runs through Maple Alley, Fosnaught and South Franklin. Ellis said phase 1 targets four southern pipe runs between Linden and Lacey at an estimated cost of about $1,300,000. Phase 2 would upgrade four upstream pipe runs from Lacey to Union at roughly $1,100,000. Phase 3, to be built only if needed for larger future projects, would install a pump station near Franklin and Cedar Alley to divert flow around a constrained creek crossing.

Ellis said the plan proposes a staged approach to new connections while upgrades proceed: two small pending applications — 27 South High (three equivalent dwelling units, or EDUs) and 34 South High (one EDU) — could be allowed to connect immediately if PADEP approves the connection management plan, because their added flow is de minimis. The plan would also allow up to 20 additional miscellaneous EDUs borough‑wide before construction of upgrades begins. Ellis said construction of phase 1 is in early design and is anticipated to be completed by the end of calendar year 2025, which would then permit full connections for 250 East Market and 410 South High. He said phase 2 could be designed concurrently and be ready for construction in 2026 subject to funding. For very large conceptual projects — Ellis cited the North Adams Street concept — phase 2 or phase 3 would be required before those developments could connect in constrained areas.

Council member Metrick, summarizing the committee’s intent, said the connection management plan is designed to let small, incremental projects proceed so "we don't hold those people up." Ellis said borough staff has already met with PADEP and will submit the committee‑approved plan "at the earliest opportunity"; he said PADEP had been receptive but that the borough could not rely on a fixed timeline for PADEP review.

The motion presented at the meeting read, in part, to approve the connection management plan and corrective action plan for submittal to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; the committee recorded the motion as approved.

Next steps identified at the meeting: staff will forward the approved plan to PADEP for formal review; if PADEP approves, the pending small applications and permitted miscellaneous EDUs could connect while phase 1 design and construction proceed. The committee and consultant emphasized that costs and construction timing for phases beyond phase 1 depend on funding availability and future development locations.

Items discussed but not decided at the meeting included the pump station’s specific site design and equipment (Ellis said no design has been completed) and the exact choice of a permanent vs. portable backup generator, which he said would be determined during detailed design. Ellis also described that PADEP’s connection approvals are contingent on the borough’s formal commitment to implement the corrective action plan over time.

The committee recorded its approval of the plan for submission to PADEP. If PADEP approves the submissions, the borough expects the immediate, limited connections described above to proceed and larger project connections to follow as upgrades are completed.