Malfunctioning on-lot sewage systems on River Hill are sending untreated sewage into Buck Run, a small stream that empties into the Clarion River .

The $1.2 million project to build a pressurized sewer line will require landowners to install a sewage pump and a connection to the line, something that could cost them $3,000 to $4,000 each.

DEP rejected an earlier $2.1 million plan with a central pump station rather than individual pumps, and costing landowners about $500 each. A DEP consent order and agreement requires the project be completed before 2010.

The project requires a change to the Act 537 sewage management plan for the area and Elk Township supervisor Keith Etzel asked if a large residential development being considered by Brian W. Huwar was included in the 537 plan or the River Hill project.

McMeans said it was not, and Huwar must build his own sewer line and pump station if he wants to connect the development to the sewage system. McMeans said the development could not be included in the 537 plan as Huwar has not provided specifics on his development plans.

Engineer Brian Sekula of the EADS Group said Paint Township , which manages the sewer system for the authority, recently completed work to correct stormwater infiltration on the collection system. This removed an estimated 10,000 gallons of stormwater flow from the system.

Sekula said the stormwater flow removed is about equal to the amount of additional sewage flow expected from the River Hill project.

Sekula displayed a print-out of the base map of the sewer system generated by a computerized geographical information system.

The highly accurate and detailed map is based on aerial photographs combined with engineering drawings of the sewer system and other features. Sekula said the map cost about $1,000 to develop.

Sewer clog problem

A homeowner in Marianne said a minor sewer back-up in his basement turned into a major back-up following efforts to remove a sewer line clog.

The homeowner said the clog was traced to the sewer main and efforts to use pressurized water to clear it forced a large amount of sewage into his basement, causing $500 in damage and cleanup costs.

Finding and removing the clog apparently involved a video inspection which resulted in the camera getting stuck in the line, requiring excavation to retrieve it.

A long discussion of the matter resulted in authority members and Marianne residents concluding that the sewer collection line along Crestmont Drive may be in need of major repairs or replacement.

The board voted to direct Paint Township personnel to look into the back-up complaint and to direct Paint and the EADS Group to investigate the collection line problems.