The Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority board asked for an update on the solar project for the Eberhardt Road pumping station at its meeting Feb. 21. The board initially approved the project a year ago, but the selected contractor was unable to meet specifications.

On a recommendation from Darryl Jenkins, CWSA engineer, the board bid the project again and awarded the contract to the lone bidder. CWSA is anxious to get the project underway, and the bidder wants to meet with the board one last time.

“We are close to the time when we will get peak energy from the solar project, and it has not even started yet,” James Roth, board member, said. “We need to get the project going.”

There was some limited misunderstanding on how the panels would be set, but that was quickly cleared up. Jenkins will push to get the installation work started, and if the company wants to meet with the board, it has an open invitation to attend one of the monthly meetings.

David Harleman, general manager, distributed the 2018 sewer line inspection report. The report shows potential problem areas identified by video scans of sewer lines. It is also used to identify the maintenance program schedule for the year.

Concerns addressed by the board were excessive infiltration at 11 manholes. The proposed repair is to grout the manholes to stop the leakage and then spin concrete to line and seal the manholes.

Various members of the board received different information on the severity of the problem.

Chairman James Schreiner heard two of the manholes were so severely compromised that the proposed repair would be inadequate. Others heard the repairs would be effective on all the manholes. Schreiner’s position is to replace any manholes that are beyond repair.

There were arguments pro and con. The cost to reline all 11 of the manholes is estimated at $25,000. The relining process does not have a warranty.

Replacing a single manhole is estimated at $15,000.

The process to replace a manhole is tricky. When initially built, manholes are set and the pipes are connected to the manhole. Replacing an existing manhole requires a labor-intensive effort to connect in-service sewer lines to the new manhole.

The solution may be to grout the manholes and see how they hold up. The board wants to hear details on the condition of the manholes from a single source. The reline project is scheduled to begin in two to three weeks. The schedule is to start on the manholes that are least damaged and would benefit from relining. Problem manholes would be looked at individually.

“Each one is different, but we can set up a priority list,” Harleman said.

Board member Joseph Marx asked Jenkins for feedback about connection gaskets failing after six years of in-service use. According to Jenkins, all connections are vacuum tested at the time of installation. Jenkins said he will investigate the problem areas.

CWSA authorized the purchase of a new TV truck to monitor sewer lines via video. The new unit gives tradesmen the ability to check laterals, the lines that lead to individual homes. Most problems are initially in the lateral lines. Until now, CWSA technicians could only tell a homeowner that the problem was in the lateral. The new camera will be able to locate a problem or clog. The cost is $300,000 for the truck and its equipment.

Solicitor John Stover reported that a court has ruled against CWSA in its legal suit against Allentown for billing discrepancies. CWSA was joined in the legal action by all cooperating municipalities using the Allentown wastewater treatment plant.