At its regular October meeting, Solicitor John Stover presented the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority (CWSA) Board with a directive from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The latest directive extends the time the authority has to meet requirements of an EPA mandate issued four years ago that expired.

Under the original mandate, all municipal sewer authorities using the Allentown Waste Water Treatment Plant to clean sewage are required to meet certain system standards. The purpose of the standards is to reduce clear water infiltration into the sewer system. Clear water, like rainwater, does not need to be treated and adds an unnecessary burden on the treatment plant.

Mandated requirements include improvements in the sewage lines, manholes and manhole covers, as well as inspecting homes and businesses of all rate payers to see if an owner is dumping clear water into the system. As board member Joseph Marx explained at previous meetings, some homes in the area have downspouts and/or basement sump pumps that put clear water into the system.

According to independent audits, CWSA made dramatic improvements to its system. Earlier in the year, CWSA asked to be excused from the remainder of the mandate, citing progress made.

Other municipalities are significantly further behind in meeting the EPA requirements.

The directive presented to the board by Stover gives a reprieve to all the municipalities.

Toward the end of the topic’s discussion, Stover indicated the latest directive did not prevent CWSA from continuing to pursue efforts to relieve the authority from any further scrutiny by the EPA.

In a related matter, Marx indicated the latest field reports showed 90.9 percent of the ratepayer’s home are inspected, and corrections were made.

“I never thought we would be able to achieve this level of compliance,” Stover said.

Marx indicated in his report that there are more inspections scheduled. The inspections are “voluntary” in that the homeowner must call CWSA to schedule the inspection. Coordinating the effort has been difficult, but with other major projects that reduce clear water infiltration nearing completion, home inspections are beginning to take a high priority.

In other action, Marx is taking the lead on coordinating Whitehall’s tribute to veterans of all service branches.

“CWSA donated $1,000 to the Whitehall flag project to build a veterans memorial. We had a meeting, and we are starting the fundraising process. The cost is estimated at $50,000,” Marx explained.

The committee will build out portions of the park as funding is available.

“We have the gazebo in place now,” he said, adding, “Part of the fundraising will be to sell memorial bricks.”

The new park will be located near the township municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.