Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sewer Authority topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sewer authority updates: digester, biosolids projects and a rate dispute with State College Borough
Summary
At the June 17 meeting Ferguson Township heard a UHA report on major capital projects — an anaerobic digester and sludge dryer expected online in 2026 — and that UHA has filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas over State College Borough’s withholding of partial payments following a 2021 rate study.
The Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors heard an update June 17 from a representative of the regional sewer authority (referred to in meeting materials as UHA) on large-scale projects, financing and an ongoing billing dispute with the State College Borough.
UHA reported that the anaerobic digester and sludge dryer projects are progressing, with the board told the combined system is now most likely to be online in March 2026. Project work on ozone disinfection has encountered contractor delays. UHA said the biosolids dryer and digester work was a multi‑tens-of-millions-dollar project and discussed broader treatment plant upgrades and solar investments intended to reduce long‑term operating costs.
On rates, the authority reported it completed a rate study in 2021 and adopted the revised rate effective Jan. 1, 2022. The representative said State College Borough has been withholding full payments and paying at an earlier (Feb. 20, 2020) volume-equity rate, which the authority said amounts to roughly 64% of current billed charges. UHA has filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas seeking a declaration that the borough’s withholding is unlawful. UHA officials said the authority’s bond rating and financing posture influenced earlier rate adjustments.
Board members asked whether rates would come back down if the dispute is resolved; UHA representatives said that is possible but not assured and that billing methodology (EDUs and volume assumptions) will remain in place while the parties resolve the matter.
UHA also discussed a multi-phase Act 537 special-study process for localized sewer planning (Meeks Lane and Woodintown Road interceptors) and said financial modeling shows long-term benefits from the combined treatment investments. One cost figure cited for construction and project-related bond issues was roughly $94.5 million (presented as a total project span across several major initiatives), with other figures discussed for avoided future capital costs and net 25-year benefits. The speaker characterized some figures as broad estimates.
What happens next: UHA will continue the legal process with the borough and advance construction and commissioning of the digester/dryer; township staff and UHA indicated they will report updates when available.
Provenance: UHA report began at SEG 1185 and concluded around SEG 1538.
