NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY orth Strabane NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP NEWS
North Strabane Township Municipal Authority is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the MAIN sanitary sewer lines that service your home . The homeowner is responsible for their sewer lateral on the property ( from the house to the main line ).
NSTMA serves approximately 6,200 customers , with approximately 250 miles of main sanitary sewer line , 3000 manholes , 11 pump stations and 2 package treatment plants .
April Showers bring May Flowers or More Rain ????
So says the old saying ! Sanitary sewer main lines are designed to convey sanitary sewage only from the home to the CHJA Treatment Plant . During wet weather events ( rain or snow melt ), too much stormwater infiltrates into the sanitary sewer system . These main lines are not designed to handle extra volume of stormwater during heavy rain events . When stormwater enters the main sanitary system , it can cause raw sewage overflows into our waterways and basements . Stormwater is designed to be carried in a separate sewer system and discharged directly into streams and waterways .
What is a Sanitary Sewer Overflow and WHY is the issue important to me ?
Overflows not only violate the Federal Clean Water Act , but they cause a host of other problems for the community and the region as a whole . Raw sewage in our waterways causes a public health risk . Sewage discharged into the waterways often flows downstream into water treatment plant intakes . Water quality may be unacceptable for boating , swimming or fishing for many days after it stops raining . Overflows can kill fish and other river and plant life . As much as 50 % -60 % of inflow and infiltration comes from leaking household laterals and illegally connected roof and foundation drains . The average daily wastewater flow in the sewer system is 100 gallons per person per day . During wet weather , so much additional stormwater gets into the sewer system through infiltration and inflow that the 100 gallon per person average can rise to 200-3,000 gallons per person , which overloads the sewer system ’ s carrying capacity .
Families in downstream communities may experience chronic basement backups . Children can be exposed to raw
40 NORTH STRABANE sewage from overflowing manholes in the street or by playing in streams and creeks . It impedes economic development because tap bans may be imposed restricting new houses or businesses from tapping into sewers until the problem is corrected .
What is my role as a homeowner ?
Regular maintenance of your lateral / sewer will help to identify defects in the pipe as well as problems waiting to happen . Contracting with a plumber to televise and inspect your sewer lateral with a specialized closed circuit television camera will also identify if groundwater is leaking into the system during wet weather . Check your downspouts and sump pumps to ensure they are not improperly connected to the sanitary sewer system . If your storm drains are connected to the sanitary sewer system , you must remove this prohibited connection .
Rain Barrel Consider installing a rain barrel in your yard or garden . During wet weather , the barrel collects stormwater through your home ’ s downspout . During dry weather , a hose connected to the barrel allows water to seep out to water your yard or garden . This helps to control stormwater , which contributes to sewage overflows polluting our waterways . Fixing the problem in our Township will require a substantial financial investment . While the Authority is seeking the most cost-effective methods for a solution , homeowners can expect higher sewage rates over the coming years . We all need to work together to reduce the effects of wet weather . It will take the cooperation and support of residents and communities to ensure a solution that will protect our region ’ s water resources .