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Warminster municipal authority wins FEMA money, proposes sewer‑lateral inspections to cut peak flows
Summary
Warminster Municipal Authority reported $1.8 million in FEMA obligations for three storm‑damage pipe‑replacement sites and a $912,000 grant for basin retrofits, and asked the board to consider an ordinance requiring sewer‑lateral inspections at property transfer to reduce excessive inflow to the plant.
The Warminster Municipal Authority told the board it has secured major outside funding and proposed a new municipal tool to reduce sewer inflow.
Tim (general manager) said the authority has been fully obligated for about $1.8 million from FEMA to repair three heavily damaged pipe locations — Decker Lane, Cloverly Road and Ivyland/Roberts — with mobilization expected in early July and roughly two weeks planned per replacement site. ‘‘That money is not coming out of our ratepayers’ pockets,’’ Tim said, noting FEMA’s reimbursement process requires outlays up front.
Dotan George, assistant general manager, and other authority staff also described a $912,000 grant tied to the municipality’s MS4 permit that will cover the Whittier Basin and Tennis Basin retrofit. The authority said that grant, together with previously planned capital work, reduces the portion of costs borne by local customers.
The authority outlined several larger system projects: about $9 million in capital improvements over time, replacement of the wastewater plant’s ultraviolet disinfection system, a planned waste‑gas burner relocation for safety and an exploration of technologies to remove PFAS from sludge. Staff also highlighted ongoing lining of sewer mains (roughly two miles per year), permanent distribution‑system leak detection, hydrant replacement and other reliability measures.
Authority staff explained why the township is considering a sewer‑lateral inspection ordinance. The authority estimates baseline treatment flows of roughly 3–4 million gallons per day but said peak flows during late‑winter or heavy‑rain events have reached about 30 million gallons per day. ‘‘If there’s a crack in the lateral the groundwater gets into the pipe and then goes into the treatment center,’’ Tim said, and private‑lateral defects can overwhelm main‑line projects if not addressed.
Under the proposal the authority would ask that, at the time of a property sale (residential or commercial), owners have private laterals cleaned and video‑inspected so defects can be corrected before they contribute to inflow. The authority said volunteers and public‑education events (including tree plantings and cleanups) will continue to be part of its public‑engagement approach.
The board did not take a final action on the ordinance at the meeting; authority staff asked the board to consider adoption at a future meeting after review of draft ordinance language and follow‑up on resident‑notification questions.
The authority recommended residents report stormwater or sewer issues through the authority’s online repair request form; staff reiterated that most large projects involve coordination with the township public‑works paving schedule and with property owners where easements require temporary clearing.
Ending: The authority said construction on FEMA‑funded sites should begin in July, and the board will consider the sewer‑lateral inspection ordinance at a future meeting once staff and solicitor finalize the proposed language.
