Authority Pauses Work On Controversial Wastewater Plant Near Core Creek Park

The board at Tuesday’s meeting.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority Board of Directors voted Tuesday to halt work on a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Newtown Township.

The 3-2 decision does not cancel the project, but stops planning for the Newtown Township facility at a 17.5-acre site off Lower Silver Lake Road and University Drive near the Newtown Bypass, which is close to the Middletown Township border.

Board Member Elen Snyder, who is also a Newtown Township Supervisor, introduced the motion, which was supported by Board Chairperson Jerry Schenkman and Board Member Linda Bobrin. Board members Christopher Gusty and Robert Walker voted against it.

Board Member Elen Snyder speaking. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

The vote was met with cheers from dozens of residents, nearly all of whom opposed the plant.

Walker had proposed a referendum on the project. After the 3-2 vote, he declined to introduce his motion.

Board Member Robert Walker speaking. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

The authority will now consider options for the land that has been purchased through eminent domain for $9 million from 42 Four University LLC.

Snyder, when pressed by Newtown Township Supervisor John Mack, who was in the audience, said the motion to “stop” work means, in her view, ending the authority’s effort to develop at the site.

Supervisor John Mack addressing the authority board. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

The Newtown Township and Middletown Township Boards of Supervisors previously raised concerns about the facility after outcry from Newtown Township, Middletown Township, and Lower Makefield Township residents who live not far from the site.

Members of the public at Tuesday’s meeting expressed concerns about potential odors, increased costs to ratepayers, impacts on wildlife, the plant’s appearance, and discharges into Core Creek Park and the Neshaminy Creek.

The site of the proposed plant last month. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Middletown Township resident Bill Everett, a leading opponent of the plant, said he supported the decision and vowed to ensure the project does not move forward.

A Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority official confirmed that planning for the project had recently been halted due to opposition from the public.

The proposed $128 million plant would have used Aqua Nereda technology and had a planned capacity of 2.5 million gallons per day.

Engineer Terry Funk, who has been working with the authority, had stated last year that the project could lead to long-term cost savings compared to the current regional system run by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.

The authority currently pays $3.7 million of its $5.3 million budget annually to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority, which has been raising rates to fund infrastructure projects.

The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority is undertaking a $60 million upgrade to the Neshaminy Interceptor, which runs through Lower Bucks County, including the Newtown area, and sends wastewater to Philadelphia for treatment by the Philadelphia Water Department. The system currently has capacity limitations for development until the upgrade is completed.

The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority serves 9,000 customers in Newtown borough and township.

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