A small borough in Lehigh County is getting a major upgrade. Slatington's sewer system is overloaded and its pipes are outdated. Now the borough is spending $7-million to, according to officials, help alleviate problems, create jobs, and protect the environment. WFMZ's Jaccii Farris reports.  >> GARY PHILLIPS: Things only last so long and the life of a sewer system is about 50 years and we're at 50 plus years here now.

>> REPORTER: $7-million is going underground to bring Slatington's sewer system up to date. The money will target more than 14 miles of terra cotta pipes and manhole covers weaving their way through the borough.

>> MIKE BEDRIN: The consequence of the existing lines is that they leak and water is getting in so the sewage treatment plant is treating not only the sewage that is supposed to be going in but this excess water that's infiltrating.

>> REPORTER: About two-thirds of the project is going to be slip-lined with this material here. What happens is you put it into an existing pipe, then it gets blasted with steam and it turns into a material like this It's more cost-effective and that way you don't have to dig everything up. The project is funded in part by a $4.7-million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It's estimated up to 150 jobs will be created and local materials will be used in large part. The borough is bankrolling the remaining $2.3-million with a low interest loan. Mayor Walter Niedermeyer says he's not sure about how the project will affect water and sewer bills.

>> WALTER NIEDERMEYER: I don't think it will go up much. I don't think it will. It might go up a little bit, but not much.

>> REPORTER: The DEP says the project has a two-fold benefit, bringing the overburdened sewer system up to date and while protecting the Lehigh River from being contaminated.

( Video won't play? CLICK HERE for some helpful suggestions )

---

e-mail story | print view | rss feeds | wireless | google desktop | podcast