Politics & Government

Surge Tank Supported by Supervisors

Officials from the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority requested the Board of Supervisors' support to erect a surge tank.

The Lower Southampton Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support the construction of a surge tank as well as supporting the project in front of the Zoning Hearing Board.

In order for the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority to erect the surge tank, variances will need to be granted by the Zoning Hearing including a variance to exceed impervious surface limits as well as one to construct an 8-foot-high fence and clear a section of woodlands in addition to a few other variances.

They would also need permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection prior to constructing the surge tank.

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Officials from the authority are interested in constructing the surge tank at a site on Bridgetown Pike, alongside the Neshaminy Creek and Neshaminy sewage interceptor.

"I don’t think you pick a better piece of property in the township to put this," Solicitor Michael Savona said to the board. Officials echoed Savona's remark, stating that the site is the most practical and best location for the tank.

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According to project engineer Steven Hartman, the interceptor, which was built in the 60s or 70s, has been having some capacity issues creating a need for the surge tank.

The surge tank will temporarily hold flows when the interceptor backs up and then will gradually flow back into interceptor in a large rain event, Hartman said.

The surge tank is 170 feet in diameter and 32 feet high, but would be recessed five feet into the ground.

Although each municipality Neshaminy Interceptor serves will have to pay for a portion of the construction, the estimated $160,000 share of costs for Lower Southampton could be waived in return for the board waiving the land development process and fees that the authority could incur for replacing trees and permitting.

"The goal is to make this a zero-cost project for the township," Savona said. Savona will represent the board at the September 15 Zoning Hearing Board.


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