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Pocono News Section
Sewer Upgrades Could Cost Loyalsock Homeowners
Sewer Upgrades Could Cost Loyalsock Homeowners - Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 5:16PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 @ 05:16pm EST
Loyalsock Township, Lycoming County-
Homeowners in one part of Lycoming County could soon be footing the bill for major sewer upgrades. Eyewitness News spoke with some people who say the cost may be too much to bear.
Officials in Loyalsock Township say many properties here have aging sewer lateral lines that must be repaired or replaced. They have already begun inspections in one neighborhood.
Homeowner Carl Smollinger explained, "Whatever they do, whatever contractor they bring in, he did tell me that I would be liable for all the costs of doing this job."
The costs will fall on homeowners unless they can prove their lines are not leaking or damaged. Average estimates for the repair work range from three to six thousand dollars.
Smollinger added, "It sure (will) cost me an awfully lot of money that I didn't expect to come up with. I'm sure there are some people that are going to be hurt by it."
The news comes at an especially inconvenient time. Loyalsock Township homeowners are already bracing for increased monthly sewer and water bills because of the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup initiative.
Steve Shooter noted, "I don't know what to do. I have some savings, and I'd have to eat into that. That was going for retirement, but I guess maybe not."
The lateral lines will be upgraded to 6-inch PVC piping to handle more flow and eliminate stormwater seeping into the lines.
Township officials call the maintenance work a necessary evil. And although they may not like the price, most here agree.
"Inconvient, but it's gotta be done probably," Smollinger said. Shooter added, "Maybe we can grants or something to pay for at least part of it."
Work on the sewer laterals could begin by August. It's expected to take over a year to complete.
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