Emmaus council adopts sewage facilities plan amid Clines Island discharge review

Emmaus Borough Council on Sept. 2 adopted Resolution 2025-25, a measure to adopt an official sewage facilities plan intended to address proposed discharge issues at the Clines Island wastewater facility and to avoid potential enforcement by state or federal regulators.

The resolution, introduced in committee and presented to the full council by Public Works committee member Mister Anders, directs the borough to undertake seven specified obligations tied to sewage facility planning; the solicitor said some items are expected to be completed within about five years. The council voted to approve the resolution (motion by Mister Ladenburg; second by Miss Watt) and recorded six ayes.

Council solicitor summarized the rationale for the measure and the timetable in remarks to the council. He said the borough manager has been attending monthly meetings about the proposed Clines Island discharge and associated costs and that the borough has been preparing for a potentially large expense during last year’s budget process. The solicitor described the document as a form resolution supplied by the Lehigh County Authority (LCA) and warned the borough could face a consent order with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the state Department of Environmental Protection if it failed to enter the Sewage Facilities Planning Act process.

"There are seven obligations under this resolution," the solicitor said, adding that "this does have to be completed by the September." He also said, "I do believe it is wise to pass this," referring to adopting the plan now so the borough could participate in future negotiations on costs and scope.

The solicitor told council members the resolution does not commit the borough to specific cost figures and that some items could be negotiated in the future; he also said potential grants or other funding sources may help offset expenses. Borough staff and the solicitor indicated the borough manager is attending LCA meetings and will provide further updates to council as grant or cost information becomes available.

Council members did not request amendments to the resolution during the meeting. The motion to adopt Resolution 2025-25 passed with six ayes and no recorded no votes.

The council did not set a separate implementation schedule beyond the obligations noted in the resolution; the solicitor and borough manager said staff would continue to monitor LCA discussions and report back so council can consider budget and funding options in upcoming meetings.