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Stockton Council considers scaled wastewater infiltration study to limit costs
Summary
Council discussed a wastewater infiltration study after infrastructure committee review and favored piloting a smaller area to trim an estimated $28,000 full-study cost down to about $8,000-plus professional fees; no binding vote was taken and council agreed to explore the pilot approach.
The Stockton Borough Council discussed a possible wastewater infiltration study at its May 19 meeting after infrastructure committee input highlighted rising infiltration in the sewer system. Mayor Aaron Lipsen summarized the problem: the wastewater system is taking on water, which increases processing costs, and a full study covering moderate- to high-risk areas was estimated at approximately $28,000.
Councilperson William Brown, a committee member, said he agreed with the committee’s recommendation to scale the effort down and pilot a smaller segment of sewer lines first. Under the proposed approach, the council would commission a limited-area study to determine whether remediation is needed before committing to a town-wide study; Lipsen noted this would reduce initial costs to roughly $8,000 plus engineering and other professional service fees.
The discussion did not include a motion to approve funding for the pilot study at that meeting; council members discussed financing options and recalled that the borough has used long-term financing for similar infrastructure work in the past. No formal vote was taken and council directed staff to continue consulting with the engineer and water department on scope and cost estimates.
If the council later chooses to fund the pilot or a full study, it may need to identify a funding source and consider whether to pursue long-term financing. The council did not set a timeline for a decision during the May 19 meeting.
