Export will target illicit stormwater connections along Italy Road

The next step in Export’s long-term flood control plan is to remove any storm water connections along Italy Road that empty into the borough’s sewage system.

And borough officials have to get it done by January 2020.

“I think that’s going to be a major issue,” Councilman John Nagoda said.

The January date is just one of several deadlines the borough must meet as part of its long-term flood control plan, which was approved by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Within four years, the borough must conduct smoke and dye testing on all of its sewage lines and televise all of the sewer laterals in the borough to ensure that all connections are legal. If an illegal connection is discovered, property owners are required to fix it within 18 months.

The borough must also locate, pop and inspect all of its manholes by January 2021.

“It’s going to be very expensive,” solicitor Wes Long told council.

Council President Barry Delissio said he believed only one line would require removal along Italy Road to ensure that storm drains do not flow into the sanitary sewer system.

The proposed work is a small-scale version of what the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority is also working toward: a system-wide assessment that eliminates improper or illegal discharge of storm water into the sewers.

Long was confident that, with proper budget planning and the work that has already been done, the borough will come out in good shape.

“Because of the foresight of this council, we’ve been working on this for 10 years, because we knew this day would be coming,” Long said. “I know if we approach this timely and diligently, we’ll get through it.”