A trip to the Pennsylvania Municipal Authority Association meeting was well worth the time and effort, according to a member of the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority.

Joseph Marx presented a report at the CWSA's Sept. 19 meeting. Among the items he mentioned was a discussion he had with Jason Newhart of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy. Newhart specializes in grant applications.

"Mr. Newhart indicated to me that the state will have grant money available to authorities like ours," Marx said. "He also said that they like to give the grant money to people who put to use right away and get maximum benefit from the money ... Mr. Newhart said he was impressed with how we used the grant money we previously received and was willing to support our cause."

CWSA has planned improvements within the Cementon water and sewer system. Board Chairman John Schreiner asked the authority's Engineer Darryl Jenkins to put together a plan with a cost estimate that could be used to prepare documentation for the grant.

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In other business, Jenkins reported the improvement package for Rauch Street sewer improvements was sent out for bid. Bids will be opened at the Oct. 17 meeting.

Schreiner indicated that Whitehall Township will address a water main relocation.

A suggestion was presented that the cost of the final restoration bid for the street be split between Coplay and Whitehall.

"The two municipalities would be in charge of it," Schreiner said. "It is in the bid as a separate item."

The estimated amount for the final restoration ranges from $17,000 to $20,000.

The board approved sending the cost of the final restoration to the municipalities.

Also during the meeting, Marx expressed his concern with fines for clear water home inspections.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that the Allentown Waste Treatment Plant and all its associated entities reduce storm water infiltration in the waste treatment system. Storm water adds an unnecessary expense onto the treatment facility because storm water does not need to be treated.

One part of the mandate requires verification that storm water is not entering the system from homeowners funneling water from rain gutters or basement sump pumps.

"We have completed about 65 percent of the home inspections," Marx said.

The number is far ahead of other municipalities, two times the results of Emmaus.

Allentown has done little to address the home inspection portion of the mandate.

"If the mandate is not extended, then there will be fines and we could be held liable to pay for Allentown's fines," Marx said.

Schreiner asked board Solicitor Jack Stover to investigate options CWSA has available to it to avoid the fines.

"I know that our reports are well received by the EPA," Marx said. "They often use our reports as examples of what they are looking for."

Stover also said the Allentown waterfront development team reported encroachments are planned onto CWSA's right-of-way.

"We can't really deny them use if we can still get access to the line," Stover said.

Stover asked Jenkins to review the Allentown proposal and to monitor any construction that occurs in an effort to ensure CWSA can continue to gain unfettered access to its sewer lines.