Sanitary Sewers - What Developers Need to Know
by George Wolfe


In 1958 the Lower Paxton Township Authority began construction of a sanitary sewer system in the Colonial Park area of the Township. Construction of a system to serve the remaining developed areas of the Township began in 1971. Today, The Authority owns over 280 miles of sewer main lines and five pumping stations. Sewage generated by Township residents is transmitted via the Authority’s underground lines, through regional, multi-municipal interceptors, to treatment plants operated by the City of Harrisburg and Swatara Township.

The Lower Paxton sanitary sewer system provides service to over 14,000 accounts. Residential accounts are charged a rental rate of $82.00 per calendar quarter. Non-residential accounts are charged for system rental based upon water usage, with a base charge equal to the residential rate. In addition, new customers to the sewer system pay a one time tapping fee of $1,775 - $2,175 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) and non-residential customers are charged $1,700 - $2,100 for each additional EDU, based on estimated flow.  

The day-to-day management of the Authority’s sanitary sewer system is provided by the Township through a management agreement using municipal employees. The governing body of the Authority consists of seven members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors appoint themselves and two at-large members from the community to serve on the Authority. The Township Manager serves as Authority Manager, and the Township Sewer Department provides for system operations and collection of rental fees.  

The annual operating budget of the Sewer Department is approximately $9 million. All revenues received from customers are used to provide sewer service. The costs associated with the sewer system include day-to-day operations, interest and principal on outstanding debt, treatment and transmission charges levied by other municipalities, and necessary maintenance.  

Through extensive investigations, it has been determined that a significant amount of clear water is entering the sanitary sewer system during extreme wet weather conditions. Infiltration and inflow (I&I) of clear water into the sewer system reduces system capacity, causes manholes to overflow, and adversely affects our environment. It would seem that sanitary sewer I&I problems would be easy to fix. After all, you flush and it flows down hill. Repair a few holes; fix a few pipes - problem solved. It is difficult to understand the complexities of the I&I problem. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), I&I problems affect an estimated 19,500 communities throughout the United States, and it will cost over $10 billion for communities to comply with federal requirements to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows.  

The Township assumed management of the Authority’s sanitary sewer system in 1995 due, in part, to significant I&I problems that were not being addressed. At that time, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had instituted prohibitions on Planning Modules for proposed new developments and limitations on sewer connection permits for new construction throughout most of the Township.  

Since 1995, over $19 million has been spent by Lower Paxton to reduce I&I and eliminate sanitary sewer overflows. The current I&I program provides for reconstruction of sewers in identified mini-basins and treatment of I&I at a wet weather treatment plant that is now under design. This program has been approved by DEP and stands as an order issued by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. The estimated cost to implement the program is an additional $27 million over 5 years.  

Today, sanitary sewer connection permits and Planning Modules are available in Lower Paxton Township. In accordance with a Second Consent Decree between the Township and DEP, Planning Module approval may be granted and new connection permits issued, as long as the Township proceeds through to completion of its I&I program. Now, in the Beaver Creek drainage basin (the eastern half of the Township), a minimum of 150 Planning Modules EDUs and 168 connection permits are available on an annual basis. In the Paxton Creek drainage basin (the western half of the Township), there is no limit on Planning Modules for proposed new developments and there are 63 connection permits available for issuance each year.  

Our sanitary sewer system is a complicated maze of underground pipes owned by private parties, by the Township Authority, and by joint municipal partnerships. Lower Paxton is hard at work maintaining and upgrading this system, providing for the needs of its current customers, for future development within our community, and for protection of our natural environment. The Township’s future sanitary sewer needs, including its ongoing I&I program, are detailed in a Sewage Facilities Plan prepared in accordance with PA Act 537. This Plan is available for review at the Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street and additional information may be obtained by calling the Sewer Department at 657-5615.  

George Wolfe is employed as Manager of Lower Paxton Township. He has served in this capacity since January 1990. In addition, since 1995 Mr. Wolfe has served as Manager of the Township’s Authority, which provides sanitary service within the municipality. Lower Paxton Township is the 19th largest municipality in Pennsylvania.

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