Sewage rates heading up

A $10 million upgrade of Emporium’s sewage treatment plant will get underway in the coming weeks.

Sewage bills in Emporium Borough and Shippen Township will rise by $3.15 per month next year and by another $3.15 a month in 2008.

Revenue from the rate increases will be go toward payoff off a bond issue covering only a portion of the project’s

cost, according to Mid- Cameron Authority spokesman Cliff Clark. Among other funding sources are a $2.6 million PennVEST grant; a 30-year loan from PennVEST at one-percent annual interest and a Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant.

Bob Cummins Construction was chosen by competitive bid as general contractor. That con-

tract is for $8.19 million. Electrical work will be done by Kronenwetter Electrical.

Mid-Cameron Authority is under DEP mandate to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant. Once the work is completed, the system will meet DEP treatment standards for today’s volume, as well as additional capacity for future industrial, commercial or residential development.