'Money well spent' Westmoreland commissioner says of $450K sewage project in Sewickley Township

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority has stopped operating a small sewage plant in Sewickley Township in a move that will save the authority an estimated $45,000 annually, officials said.

Michael Washowich, the authority’s director, said the tiny plant served about 16 units owned by the authority off Mars Hill Road.

Westmoreland County commissioners on Friday got a tour of the old plant and fresh new dirt covering up the lines that now are connected to the Sutersville-Sewickley Municipal Sewage Authority. The $450,000 project got a $340,000 boost from the county, Washowich said.

The infrastructure improvement helps with property values and makes life for residents better, said Commissioners Doug Chew and Sean Kertes.

“Any successful community is reliant upon reliable sewage service,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas. “This is public money well spent, it improves the community, helps families and beautifies the county.”

The plant will be demolished and grass planted in its place, said Erik Spiegel, chief operating officer of the housing authority.

The authority remains responsible for the lines that connect to the municipal system, Washowich said. Officials got rights of way through seven properties.

The change represents a savings — a contractor stopped by the plant daily and regular testing had to be done there. Washowich expressed appreciation to the commissioners for the county’s contribution that allowed the housing authority to get out of the sewage business.

“The plant is now out of operation and we’re on public sewage,” he said.