Woodward sewer officials receive some good news

DUNNSTOWN - The Woodward Township Sewer Authority has received some good news, in the form of an Environmental Protection Agency assessment of its $1.67 million project.

The EPA, which is providing $477,000 toward the project, has issued a "finding of no significant impact," meaning any environmental impact from the project is not significant.

In a letter to the authority, Water Protection Division officials outline the various categories that might result in harm to the environment and in each case concluded the harm was minimal or nonexistent.

The local authority provides service to 738 customers covering one square mile and including 17 miles of sewer main and two pump station.

The sewage is pumped to the Lock Haven treatment plant via a force main under the Susquehanna River.

The authority has been under a consent order from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection due to illegal discharges into the West Branch from leaks in the line.

The renovation project includes work on the existing wastewater pump station, replacement of the force main under the river and connection to the city's collection system.

The upgrades are the second phase of the authority's long-term improvement project, which was begun May of 2007 to eliminate excessive infiltration and satisfy state regulations.

According to EPA officials the completion of the project will result in significant pollution elimination.