Supply issues slow down Freeport's $18.6M sewage plant, but it still could meet schedule

Work on Freeport’s new $18.6 million sewage treatment facility is going slower than expected, with possible change orders looming.

Robert Horvat, the project’s engineer from KLH Engineers, estimated that if “everything goes perfect and we get a little lucky,” the plant will be ready during the third quarter of next year.

That would fall within project’s original time frame. After a groundbreaking in February, borough Manager Zachary Filous said construction should take between 18 months and two years.

Horvat, however, said crews hit a snag with acquiring electrical control panels that will facilitate work at the site along First Street, right next to the existing plant.

“Nothing can happen without the electrical gear,” he said. “We put a request into the manufacturer to see if we can bump that up on their production schedule. Every time we ask about it, it’s like, ‘Yeah, we’re not sure yet.’

“Until we have that idea when that actually falls, I don’t know how far it’s going to shift. Once we get that, we’ll adjust the contract time.”

There have been no change orders so far, though Filous said there may be multiple changes coming down the pike, including one to add hydrants to tap treated wastewater used for tank cleaning.

Other possible changes are related to long lead times on materials other than the electrical equipment, he said, forcing contractors to switch to pricier suppliers to stay on schedule.

Freeport has been paying contractors for their work in monthly disbursements.

General contractor Mele & Mele & Sons was awarded $668,000 of its $14.8 million contract this week. Right Electric received $142,000 of its $2.2 million contract.

Altogether, $17 million initially was set aside for construction, with the remaining $1.6 million going toward what are known as soft costs, such as interest payments and design fees.

Grant funding is paying for more than half the project, including $11 million from PennVEST and $1.5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency secured by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

The rest is covered by bond issues and municipal savings. Freeport has been phasing in sewage rate hikes to help repay these obligations. Last year, ratepayers saw a $17 increase per bill, followed by a $10 increase this year. A $7 increase is anticipated next year.

The new plant will treat 3 million gallons of wastewater per day, up from 1 million, minimizing discharge into Buffalo Creek and bringing Freeport in line with state and federal environmental regulations.

Despite the hang-ups, Filous is pleased with the progress on the facility and still believes it’s possible to complete the project by the end of next year.

“Unfortunately, at the beginning of the year, we had a lot of rain and flooding into the construction zone,” he said. “Outside of that, everything has been going smoothly.”