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Lower Pottsgrove authority approves 2026 sewer budget, hears update on proposed Porter Road treatment plant
Summary
The Lower Pottsgrove Township Authority unanimously approved its 2026 operating and capital sewer budget, with no rate increase recommended, and received an engineer update that DEP discharge criteria for a proposed Porter Road wastewater treatment plant are expected within two weeks.
The Lower Pottsgrove Township Authority unanimously approved its 2026 Operation and Capital Sewer Budget on Oct. 13, 2025, with a 4-0 vote and no rate increase recommended.
Edward C. Wagner, Authority manager, told the board the operating plan includes transferring about $80,000 into capital and lists contingency and equipment needs including a Muffin Monster upgrade and a generator. Wagner said the Pottstown Borough Authority’s 2026 capital needs total roughly $484,000 for items such as the ammonia system, a blower, completion of the UV system, aeration-tank rehabilitation, a dry thickener and a wastewater generator. “It seems to be the best budget in several years,” Wagner said, recommending no rate increase for the upcoming year.
The vote came after a budget discussion in which board members reviewed proposed capital priorities and potential grant opportunities. Wagner described contingencies set aside for Villa Drive and a potential Pennsylvania Small Streams grant of about $350,000 to dig up portions of Commons Drive and Welsh Drive.
Engineer Fred Ebert updated the authority on plans for a proposed wastewater treatment plant on Porter Road. Ebert said he has requested preliminary discharge criteria from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and expects to receive those criteria in about two weeks; once DEP’s criteria are available he will request refined construction estimates from manufacturers. “Once that is received, I can take the new results back to the different manufacturers to refine the construction cost,” Ebert said. He added the authority is considering a flow-through style plant and noted that the Environmental Protection Agency will need to sign off before DEP releases final criteria.
Wagner and Ebert discussed timing and next steps if DEP criteria arrive as expected. Ebert agreed to clarify whether EPA operations are affected by the current federal government shutdown.
The board approved the budget by motion of Joe McGeehan and second of Mark Loshnowsky; the vote was 4-0. The authority also discussed planned capital work and the sequencing of projects tied to the I&I (inflow & infiltration) program.
Next procedural steps mentioned by staff include refining cost estimates after receiving DEP discharge criteria and pursuing available grant funding where feasible.
