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South Whitehall approves emergency water interconnection upgrade with Lehigh County Authority; affirms authority termination
Summary
The South Whitehall Board authorized a $165,000 upgrade to the emergency interconnection with Lehigh County Authority, splitting capital costs 50/50 and approving execution of the agreement; the board also adopted an ordinance confirming termination of the township authority and transfer of its assets recorded Oct. 22, 2025.
The South Whitehall Township Board on Dec. 3 approved modernization work on the emergency interconnection with the Lehigh County Authority and completed a final administrative step to terminate a township authority and transfer its assets.
Township staff described the interconnection upgrade at the northeast corner of Catronia Road and Shaun Road, which will add motor‑operated valves, automatic flushing units, SCADA integration and clarifications about ownership and metering responsibilities. The estimated project cost is $165,000; the township will pay 50% of capital construction costs, and staff told the board that the township’s share is included in the adopted 2026 budget. "This update reflects the shared interest of both of the entities in ensuring reliable emergency water supply and modernizing system controls," township staff said.
A commissioner asked whether there is an interconnection to a nearby reservoir; staff confirmed the system can reverse flow to and from the reservoir by changing pump operation and valve positions in an emergency.
Separately, the board adopted an ordinance confirming that, by operation of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act (53 Pa.C.S. §5619(c)), property and regulatory permits of the South Whitehall Township Authority transferred to the township following recording of a certificate of termination with the Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds on Oct. 22, 2025. Staff said this ordinance is likely the last administrative action required to complete the termination and that the ordinance will be recorded.
Both the interconnection resolution and the authority‑termination ordinance passed by unanimous votes (5–0). Staff identified follow‑up tasks including executing the interconnection agreement and recording the authority‑termination ordinance with the county recorder.
