McADOO - Fixing illegal sewer lateral hook-ups in the borough was discussed at Wednesday's meeting of the McAdoo Borough Sewer Authority board, which could result in fines for residents.
The authority will be notifying some residents that inspections have found illegal hook-ups to sewer laterals that allow stormwater to empty into the system. In one case, a pipe is carrying clean water into the sewer system. Those pipes violate borough laws prohibiting the hook-ups, which cause the borough's sewage treatment costs to rise.
The residents will receive a letter giving them 45 days to remedy the situation and then get it inspected. Those who do not correct the violation could be fined $50 to $125 plus the costs of prosecution.
The treatment of clean water increases electricity and chemical usage and accelerates wear and tear on sewage plant equipment, board members said. It also affects rates paid by borough residents.
In other business, a recent sewer blockage in McAdoo's west-end system consisted of about 25 pounds of grease. It cost the authority more than $1,000 to unblock the sewer line, including the removal of the grease and flushing the lines. The authority board took a closer look at its regulations and found a borough ordinance that requires commercial businesses to install a grease trap to alleviate the problem.
The authority is sending letters informing customers that restaurants, fire department social rooms, churches and any property that prepares food for consumption by the public is required to have a grease trap in the kitchen used for food preparation. The trap must be properly installed by a qualified plumber or contractor, and will need to be inspected by the authority.
All newly installed grease traps must be inspected 45 days after notification by mail.
Also, for the second year, the authority is offering a 10-percent discount, or $60 per year, for customers paying annually.
Board Chairman Ron Simasek said 212 customers now pay their bills annually. Another 183 customers pay a semi-annual or quarterly bill that has a 5 percent discount or a yearly savings of $30.
Simasek noted that paying ahead also saves the authority postage and other mailing costs.