At its regular meeting Nov. 19, Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority (CWSA) Chairman John Schreiner announced that the authority is changing its employee health insurance carrier.

Solicitor John Stover explained the reason for the change.

“In the past, we were part of Whitehall, but the new rules require that we set up our own group,” he said.

The authority did look at a separate group several years ago but decided to stay with Whitehall. Under the new plan, CWSA will be part of the Pennsylvania Municipal Group.

“The coverage will remain the same and meet all the requirements we agreed to in our contract,” said Stover.

By pooling with the group, the rates are lower. Part of the requirement is that the CWSA must stay with the group for three years. “After that commitment, we are free to shop rates, go with our own group or take whatever options are available,” said Stover. Board Member James Carpenter commented on the changes.

“The rates were higher if we went out and formed a group, but the situation has changed, and we are able to get good rates with this new group,” he said.

In other CWSA business, board members were able to get out and see parts of the manhole-relining project. A few months ago, CWSA contracted work to reline manholes. Many of the manholes are older and leak during rainstorms. The new vinyl lining keeps water from flowing into the sewer lines, which reduces clear water infiltration. The CWSA is under a mandate from the EPA to reduce clear water infiltration, and this project clears up problem areas.

The authority identified four “red” zones where clear water infiltration was determined to be highest. The contractor completed three of the red zones and is working on the fourth.

Board member Joseph Marx reported that 92 percent of residential ratepayers’ homes are inspected for clear water violations. Older homes were often constructed with downspouts and sump pumps connected to the local sewer lines. The EPA issued a mandate to the authority to reduce these connections. Bringing clear rainwater into the sewer system adds an unnecessary burden on the wastewater treatment plant. Rainwater does not need to be treated and is filtered naturally as it passes through the ground to the aquifer. All municipalities using the Allentown Wastewater Treatment Plant are required to make home visits to determine if violations exist.

The CWSA is far ahead of other municipalities in making these home inspections. If there is a violation, homeowners are required to fix the problem. CWSA inspectors visiting a residence only check for downspouts and sump pumps connected to the sewer line.