PUBLIC NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD– SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP OFFICIAL ACT 537 SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC-TO-PUBLIC WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM TRANSFER

In accordance with requirements of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537), South Whitehall Township, which is a Township of the First Class located in Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is preparing to submit to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) an Official Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update Public-to-Public Wastewater Disposal System Transfer (Plan). This notice has been published to allow the general public to review and comment on the proposed Plan. 

The Plan was developed and prepared in order to officially recognize the transfer of the South Whitehall Township Authority’s wastewater collection/conveyance systems and their associated PA DEP Part II Water Quality Management Permit(s) to South Whitehall Township and address any previous planning that has not yet been implemented for the South Whitehall Township service area.  There will be no increase in User Rates in the South Whitehall Township Service Area. The current User Rates for non-metered residential and commercial customers are $35.00 base charge plus $87.50 per EDU per quarter. This rate applies only to customers not connected to South Whitehall Township sewer lines. The current User Rates for metered customers are $35.00 base charge per quarter per sewer connection plus $4.79/1,000 Gallons. This rate applies only to customers connected to South Whitehall Township sewer lines.

Topics covered in the Plan include previous wastewater planning, physical and demographic analysis and mapping, a description and analysis of the existing sewage facilities, future growth and land development, identification and evaluation of alternatives, an institutional evaluation, implementation schedule, and a justification of the selected alternative.

A thirty (30) day review and comment period has been established commencing on Thursday, March 28, 2024 to allow the general public to review and comment on the proposed Plan. The general public may review the proposed Plan at the South Whitehall Township Municipal Building located at 4444 Walbert Avenue, Allentown, PA 18104 during normal business hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday). The public may also review the Plan online here: 2024 Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update

The general public may forward written comments to the attention of Tom Petrucci, Township Manager, 4444 Walbert Ave., Allentown, PA 18104 or submit comments via an email sent to info@southwhitehall.com. All written comments must be received prior to the end of the thirty (30) day public comment period. If you are a person with a disability who wishes to review and comment on the proposed Plan and requires an accommodation to do so, please contact the Township Office to discuss how the Township may best accommodate your needs.  South Whitehall Township will address any written comments prior to submitting the Plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.