Eldred Township Supervisor Chairman Jeffrey Rhinehart announced that a survey of on-lot septic systems for several areas of Eldred Township will be conducted as a part of a feasibility study, which is the first step needed towards expanding Eldred Township’s sewage infrastructure. The data gathered may aid Eldred Township in securing financial assistance for potential wastewater projects.
Todd Fantaskey of Northwest Soil Services will be going door-to-door to conduct the on-lot disposal system field surveys. The township plans on conducting the surveys, weather permitting, until a sufficient number of surveys are completed to satisfy the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) planning requirements.
Individuals living in these areas are asked to cooperate with the surveys in order to fulfill DEP requirements. Surveys will take approximately 15 minutes and do not involve an inspection of internal plumbing systems.
“Therefore, we will not need access to the inside of your home for the sewer system portion of the survey,” explained Rhinehart. “However, permission to inspect the outside of your property is requested so that any signs of an on-lot disposal system malfunction may be observed and documented.”
In addition to information regarding the condition of existing on-lot sewage systems, the township is required to collect groundwater samples from the areas proposed to receive sewage service.
“If your house is served by a well and you wish to have your water tested, please make this known,” said Rhinehart. “There will be no charge to you for this testing and the results of the testing will be made available to you.”
Rhinehart assured that the survey is “solely intended to provide critical information for use in sewage facilities planning” and will not be used to “initiate or undertake any enforcement actions, should problems be identified with an on-lot disposal system during the survey and inspection process.”
Those with questions may call the township office at 814-225-4704, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
