The Clarion Borough Storm Water Authority has a long list of repair projects but no money for those repairs.
The authority has applied for a nearly $500,000 Pennsylvania Storm Water and Sewer grant that would cover the top five projects on that list.
“Our biggest problem right now is rusted and deteriorated metal pipe,” said Clarion Borough project manager Todd Colosimo. “We are replacing it with HDPE, (high-density polyethylene), ribbed exterior, smooth bore pipe.”
At the top of the list is Emerson Way. Colosimo said 240 feet of deteriorated metal pipe would be replaced with 48 inch pipe. The cost of that project is estimated at $52,500.
Tippin Drive near University Manor will involve replacing 900 feet of pipe with new eight inch pipe. Six new inlets will also be installed.
“The inlet boxes are the best for storm water management but also the most expensive part of the project,” said Colosimo.
The cost of the Tippin project is $136,950.
The third project on the list is on Sunset Drive near the Sheetz store. About 1,000 feet of pipe will be replaced and eight inlets will be installed. The cost of that project is estimated to be $155,100.
White Hill Place will receive some attention as well. About 500 feet of piping will be replaced at a cost of $90,200.
The Boundary Street project includes replacing 320 feet of line with a 24 inch line. Three inlets will also be installed. The cost is estimated at $64,295.
Colosimo said if the grant is approved construction could begin in the spring or summer of 2021.
The first five projects are only the tip of the iceberg.
“We have problems all over the borough,” said Colosimo. “The borough’s public works department reports problems to us all of the time.”