The Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority has officially approved its 2015 budget.

"The 2015 budget holds the line on revenue increases for our ratepayers," Chairman John Schreiner said at the Dec. 18 meeting.

Capital improvements slated for completion in 2015 include upgrades to the Lehigh River meter station at a cost of $210,000. Changes at the station include a new flume, building improvements and new, remotely accessible meters. The improvements are deemed necessary to monitor system flows.

General Manager David Harleman noted in last month's meeting that the existing systems do not render true readings during major rain events.

"The meters peak out at high water events," he said. "Correcting the problem will allow us to see the true impact of these events on the whole system."

Correcting the deficiency will allow for a better system response during major events. Adding remote access capability allows staff to monitor the Lehigh and Jordan Creek stations from a central location.

The board also approved a construction bid to relocate sewer lines along Route 22.

"The project is in conjunction with improvements designated for Route 22 at the Fullerton interchange," Darryl Jenkins said after the meeting.

According to Jenkins, the relocation project is not included in the 2015 budget because PennDOT will cover all the costs. CWSA supervises the project to ensure it meets local requirements.

The contract was awarded to Joao & Bradley Construction for slightly more than $500,000. The preliminary, estimated relocation cost was closer to $800,000.

Harleman said Joao & Bradley worked on several projects for the authority and continues to perform well. The board was happy to receive several bids below the estimated cost.

The operational part of the 2015 budget also allocates $2,502,300 for continuing operations. Of the total amount, $874,200 is allocated to administrative expenses which include wages, benefits, office expense, legal costs and building expenses. The remaining funds are allocated to field administrative wages and benefits along with repairs and maintenance expenses other than labor for the sewer plant.

The largest expenses in the budget are $475,200 in debt payments for prior year capital improvements and $1,311,600 to the Allentown Wastewater Treatment Plant, now run by the Lehigh County Authority, for sewage treatment.

The numbers for the 2015 budget project an income of $3,376,500. The biggest portion of the funds, approximately $3 million, is generated by ratepayers.

Expenses are broken down into administrative expenses of $874,200 and operational expenses of $2,502,300. The total of all 2015 capital improvements scheduled in the separate capital budget amount to $1,573,000.