At the July 21 regular meeting of Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority, General Manager David Harman reported bids are out to rehabilitate 150 manholes. The bids are due Aug. 16.

The project is part of the board’s effort to reduce clear water infiltration in the sewer system. The CWSA, along with all other municipalities that use the Allentown Wastewater Treatment Plant, is under an EPA mandate to reduce clear water infiltration. CWSA made great strides in reducing infiltration and is far ahead of some of the other municipalities in meeting EPA goals. Originally, the program was slated to conclude in December 2015, but the EPA granted an extension when no one met the requirements. CWSA determined that leaking manholes were the last area left to button up the system keeping the clear water into the aquifer.

In other projects, CWSA Engineer Darryl Jenkins reported the Front Street project in Coplay is under engineering review. Grant funding was received to assist in completing the project. Jenkins also reported that the Lehigh River metering project/building is substantially complete. The metering project is considered part of the effort to reduce clear water infiltration. The new station will allow CWSA better performance technology during high-water instances. Prior to this installation, certain high-water incidents peaked meters, leaving data difficult to interpret.

The board decided to assist the Varsity W Club at Whitehall High School with an advertisement to support the club’s annual publications, including football programs.

CWSA annually contributes $1,000 to each of the communities it supports, Whitehall and Coplay. This year, the Coplay donation contributed to the new community plaza on the corner of Chestnut and Second streets.

Chairman John Schreiner suggested a donation be used to further assist in completing a veterans memorial in Whitehall Township. Board member Joseph Marx, who is also a member of the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, will discuss the matter with officials. According to Marx, fundraising for the memorial has been proceeding well.

Harman reported on a couple of easement issues. Both measures were approved by the board.

The first easement involved a proposed encroachment along Schadt Avenue by poles owned by PPL. At Bellview Street, the pole line will be on the edge of the sewer easement. Harman explained PPL agreed to assist CWSA if the poles needed to be moved to make repairs.

The second easement encroachment is with Allentown’s Waterfront District. There is a proposal to rework existing sewer lines to avoid a potential problem with a connecting line.