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Click on thumbnail photos from August
20th rain storm to enlarge |
Infiltration Worsens Afterward
Homeowners on Diane Merle Drive have suffered through weeks of
private property destruction, thousands of dollars spent personally,
and unanswered questions during this troubling project. They were
told that their private property lateral connections significantly
contributed to present sewer infiltration problems. And NHTMA
ratepayers have spent over $190,000 on this project for Diane
Merle Drive. Surprisingly, a manhole located directly upstream
of the newly replaced sewer line was discovered to have significant
storm water flowing through it during tonight's rain storm by
homeowners. (See the 2 photos shown above of an newly
replaced 8" sewer line that is almost full to capacity!)
Plan Details Questioned
Why would the NHTMA begin this project at the lower elevation
rather than at the top of a hill that feeds into Diane Merle Drive?
Were these upper sewer lines flow meter tested for infiltration
before this project began? Why weren't these older sewer lines
above not replaced before the newer one on Diane Merle Drive?
Interestingly, have the infiltration rates of the new sewer line
on Diane Merle Drive been tested after its installation? The homeowners
who either replaced or were told to replace their private laterals
by the NHTMA now have some serious concerns and doubts. They are
still asking what has happened here. Many of these homeowners
have lived on Diane Merle Drive since 1972 and never experienced
any sewer problems. We're waiting for our answers. If answers
are not provided soon, homeowners will seek legal recourse and
contact state and federal regulatory agencies for these answers.
Update:
Two homeowners, who earlier were told that their current private
laterals had failed by the NHTMA supervisor, decided to check
their laterals during this latest rain storm on August 20th. To
these homeowners astonishment, both of their existing laterals
were almost completely dry. If no storm water infiltration in
their laterals was evident during this heavy rain storm, how did
their laterals fail NHTMA video tests. One has to question the
accuracy and validity of these NHTMA video testing procedures
which were done during dry weather conditions and without the
homeowners' consent and witness. |
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The NHTMA has embarked on an ambitious program to replace all
terra cotta sewer pipes, including private property laterals.
Unfortunately this program impacts many retirees, seniors, and
single earner families because their homes are located in the
older parts of North Huntingdon Township. The NHTMA is requiring
most of these chosen homeowners to replace their private property
sewer lateral connections. Those who do not comply with
the NHTMA and replace their lateral connections are told a lien
will be placed on their home. Many of these private property
lateral connections cost between $3,000 - $10,000 and more to
replace. Selected homeowners are still asking why this is taking
place.
Homeowners' Summer Ruined
This Summer has been completely ruined while many retirees have
lost sleep caused by this stressful ordeal. Others have had to
cancel favorite summer gatherings because of their destroyed properties.
Homeowners' children could not play outside because of the dangerous
work and severely damaged roadway. We were told by the NHTMA that
this project was to begin in February and be finished by May.
Answers to why it was delayed and taking so long to complete have
been very elusive.
DEP Regulation?
The NHTMA told homeowners on Diane Merle Drive that the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection regulations require this
expensive program on their private property. Some retirees and
seniors are now forced to take out loans to help finance the cost
of this NHTMA enforcement. Other lower income families facing
financial hardships to comply with this order are anxious and
worried about how they are going to pay for this NHTMA order.
Many here are wondering if Governor Rendell and other state representatives
are aware of what is being forced on their constituents by the
NHTMA. |
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North Huntingdon Township homeowners living on Diane Merle Drive
are very concerned as to what has happened to them this summer.
They are questioning if the NHTMA has the legal authority to inspect
their private property (sewer lateral connections) without their
consent and witness. What other government agencies can go onto
private property without consent? No homeowner is asking whether
it was legal for the NHTMA to inspect their part of the sewer
system located on the homeowners' right-of-way. But for the NHTMA
to go onto homeowners' private property and inspect their laterals
raises serious concerns for the homeowners' privacy and constitutional
rights.
Consent and Witness Ignored
And most homeowners were not notified in advance or present during
the NHTMA video inspections. How can a homeowner be assured that
all proper procedures were followed in their absence? Questions
about how these video tests were conducted are on the homeowners'
minds who were told that they had failed. Why couldn't an unbiased
party make these decisions on the lateral connections since it
is very expensive for the homeowner to comply with? Even if this
was legal, homeowners feel that the NHTMA could have shown more
consideration for the homeowners who also are their customers. |
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Source of Infiltration Problems?
Here are photos of what happens when it rains during the NHTMA
restoration efforts that have been progressing for weeks. Some
homeowners are now having severe problems with storm water that
didn't exist before this project. There is more storm water gathering
at their homes foundations with sump pumps clogged full of mud.
And with so much rain recently, homeowners who are waiting for
the NHTMA restoration efforts to finish are getting even more
frustrated. This heavy rainwater stream has been coming down onto
Diane Merle Drive from above properties for many years. North
Huntingdon Township has not resolved this issue in the past to
neighbors' discontent but is now pursuing a solution. Thank you. |
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Many questions are unanswered for the selected homeowners living
on Diane Merle Drive nearing the end of this major NHTMA project.
It has been very stressful and taken longer than the homeowners
had hoped. Many lessons were learned on this first major project
by the NHTMA that required homeowners to spend thousands of dollars
on their private lateral connections. Here you will find questions
that have not been answered to the homeowners' satisfaction. All
NHTMA customers will have this similar project coming to their
homes in the future. It is well worth your time and money to read
what is located here on this web site and to view the many photographs
from this project.
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Homeowners recently learned that S&E Utility Contracting,
Inc. was terminated with close to 90% of the project completed.
Very unusual NHTMA action. The homeowners will not let S&E
Utility Contracting, Inc. be a scapegoat for this project. Homeowners
on Diane Merle Drive have endured hardship and frustration during
this lengthy sewer replacement project. Some homeowners have concerns
with another contractor finishing the project. Summer has been
ruined and homeowners had expected a more efficient effort and
plan of action from the North Huntingdon Township Municipal Authority.
Update: According to an article published by the
Mckeesport Daily News on August 23rd, the contractor was terminated
due to a crowd of private contractors hired by homeowners working
in the area said General Manager Petrosky. Homeowners were stunned
at this revelation and noted that there was only one contractor
working in the area and that was for only one day. Surprisingly,
another contractor who came to work for a few homeowners to prevent
further private property damage was ordered by the NHTMA to work
on weekends only, so as not to get in the way of S&E Utility
Contracting, Inc. efforts. |
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Why were 19 of 20 selected homeowners on Diane Merle Drive informed
that they must replace private lateral connections? This decision
was based exclusively on the opinion of the NHTMA supervisor.
Some homeowners paid certified plumbers in advance of NHTMA video
inspections to check the integrity of their lateral connections.
Even though homeowners had received positive results, each one
was told that their lateral connections had failed. Only the opinion
of the NHTMA supervisor can decide. It's like going on trial and
the prosecutor, jury, and judge are the same person - the NHTMA
supervisor! Does that seem fair and unbiased? We homeowners were
astonished to discover only 1 lateral connection passed. That's
a 95% failure rate!
Tests Results Prejudiced
Most homeowners were not present for their NHTMA video inspections.
Written consents from the homeowners were not sought by the NHTMA
either? Others have not seen their failed results either. Some
homeowners have questioned whether proper procedures for these
video inspections were used. Those who failed were told if their
lateral connections are not replaced, then the NHTMA will place
a lien on their home. And for no apparent reason,
homeowners were not informed about how much time they'll have
to replace their failed lateral connections. A few homeowners
hurried to replace lateral connections wanting to avoid future
destruction of their lawns, walls, and expensive concrete driveways. |
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