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Hampden engineer seeks $4.9 million to replace 45-year-old South Habscoop pump station
Summary
Engineer Victor Smith presented plans to replace the town’s 45-year-old South Habscoop pump station, citing aging equipment and reliability risk; the estimated project cost is about $4.9 million, with a $2,000,000 CDS grant and a $2,900,000 CWSRF reduced-interest financing expected to cover most of the cost.
Victor Smith, the town engineer, told the committee the South Habscoop pump station—built in 1980–81—is 45 years old and a critical node that handles roughly 50–60% of the town’s effluent. He described a design that replaces the facility with two wet-well submersible pumps, moves the generator outside, separates electrical systems, and constructs on existing property to avoid road digging. Smith said the project will require an approximate eight-day tie-over pumping period during the connection.
On cost and funding, Smith said the estimated project cost is about $4.9 million. He said the town has a $2,000,000 CDS grant available and is pursuing a $2,900,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) financing package to reduce borrowing costs; the remainder would be drawn against voter-approved sewer bonds. Smith emphasized the operational risk: older pumps have failed monthly and replacement lead times are a concern. "If that pump died tomorrow, the pumps would still run but they'd only be capable of running at 0100%... and you have serious problems," he said, urging the committee to proceed with replacement planning.
