With funding in place, the final phase of a major rehabilitation of the Tuna Valley’s wastewater treatment plant will soon begin.

“The (Bradford Sanitary) successfully closed on its grant/loan financing with PENNVEST on August 21st,” Bradford Sanitary Authority Executive Director Rick Brocius announced on Wednesday, stating work on Phase 3 will begin soon.

Ongoing projects of the authority also include stormwater system maintenance, improvement of delinquent accounts and community outreach efforts.

Regarding Phase 3 construction, Brocius said, “The major components of the upgrades will include a diffused outfall, new chlorine building, vehicle building, sludge digestors, reed beds, and upgrades to the original plant building on the plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, roofing, and lighting. Construction is expected to start in the next couple of weeks and run through the end of 2019.”

The plant rehabilitation began several years ago after the state Department of Environmental Protection required that the authority increase capacity at the plant and curb overflows.

Meanwhile, work on stormwater system has included replacing deteriorated storm lines and catch basins, installing new stormwater catch basins and a ditch system and cleaning catch basins.

The Bradford Sanitary Authority took over the chore of maintaining the city’s stormwater system, and city residents started paying a stormwater fee in July 2017 to cover the costs.

Crews are currently installing a new line and eight catch basins on Interstate Parkway.

“Due to tight paving schedules the city (Department of Public Works) was requested to assist with new basins on Davis Street,” Brocius added.

He noted the DPW and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation assisted with the project.

“Additional stormwater work is in the planning phase for two new catch basins on Rockland Avenue, a new basin at the end of Marion Avenue, and an infiltration ditch system between Onofrio Street and Marion Avenue,” he said. “In the Congress Street area, two storm basins have been identified that directly connect to the sanitary sewer system and must be excavated and re-routed per regulations.”

Brocius reminded residents about an Adopt-An-Inlet program in which residential property owners can see a 15 percent reduction in stormwater bills by keeping a stormwater inlet free of leaves and debris. Anyone interested in the program can contact the authority at www.bradfordsanitary.com — where they can also see ongoing stormwater work — or through its Facebook page.

The sanitary authority, along with the Bradford City Water Authority, are working to improve their delinquency management practices.

“Both authorities are very grateful for those who remain current with their accounts,” Brocius said. “For those who have fallen delinquent, we look forward to making the necessary arrangements to get your accounts current. The stormwater fee program has been in place for about one year now and we are committed to putting those fees to maximum use in rebuilding this infrastructure.

“Being a new program, delinquencies for the stormwater accounts were initially expected to run higher than the existing sanitary accounts,” he added. “However, as with any utility, the Authority is obligated to manage and minimize its delinquent accounts.”

The authority also talked about community outreach activities with local restaurants and science classes.

The authority is passing along guidance to restaurant owners about management of fats, oils and grease.

“On occasion, video inspections of the sanitary and storm lines will find build-ups of greases which can lead to releases to the stream or to plugged sanitary lines,” said Brocius. “Additionally, these grease deposits can show up at the treatment plant and interfere with equipment and daily operations.”

The advice could help residents, too, as “Homeowners are also not allowed to dump grease down drains,” he said. “Such grease should be allowed to cool and placed in the garbage. Grease removal from the sanitary lines, storm lines, or at the treatment plant cost money and such dollars could be better spent elsewhere.”

This fall, some students may get a closer look at what happens at the wastewater treatment plant. The authority is offering to arrange student tours with local science classes.

“BSA looks forward to promoting the world of wastewater and stormwater management for the betterment of our local kids and encourages any interested faculty or school to contact us.”