Meadowbrook Area Water & Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation/Replacement Project

GENERAL OVERVIEW
ECTA awarded a contract and issued a Notice-to-Proceed to AH Moyer, Inc. of Myerstown, PA for a $6.0 million project aimed at repairing and replacing over 9,000 linear feet of deteriorated sanitary sewer main and over 10,000 linear feet of antiquated cast iron water main within Scenic Drive, James Circle, James Drive, Lynda Drive, Kurtis Street, Frederick Avenue, Connie Drive, Edie Drive and a small portion within an easement area from Kurtis Street to North Reading Road.  ECTA has received funding assistance from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) in the form of a low interest loan as well as $1M of the Lancaster County’s excess ARPA grant funds to cover a portion of the project costs.

Construction began on July 17, 2023, and we still anticipate completion in late Spring/early Summer 2024.  Of course, the winter weather will play a factor in our hopeful completion time frame.  Sanitary sewer replacement work started in the Scenic Dr area with one crew at the onset.  An additional crew was added as the project progressed, and this water line crew has followed behind the sewer line crew to maximize efficiency. The contractor will continue to notify customers before any water or sewer interruption to their homes.  Road closures, although frustrating and inconvenient at times, will continue to be utilized as required for traffic, worker and resident’s safety. When possible, the contractor will attempt to keep one lane open with signage and/or flaggers in place for safe access/egress for residents, mail delivery, FedEx/UPS and emergency vehicles.  As the project moves throughout the development, residents who will be affected by the construction will receive an informational flyer from AH Moyer along with a Resident Comment Form. Click here to view the flyer and form.  We recognize and understand that this massive project can be difficult and frustrating at times, for all of us, but we appreciate and thank you for your continued cooperation and patience during this much needed water/sanitary sewer improvement project!

** If your property is part of this project and you have an invisible fence for your pet, please locate our on-site inspector or contact our office ASAP so we can promptly advise the contractor.

** If you have any special needs relating to medical conditions, please locate our on-site inspector or contact our office to let us know your situation and we will advise the contractor.

UPDATE
As of April 12, 2024, new sanitary sewer main installation for the entire project is estimated at 78% complete and new water main installation work is at 70% complete. All water and sanitary sewer main and lateral work on Scenic Drive is complete. All water line work and Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP) sanitary sewer lining on James Circle is complete. CIPP lining work started February 5, 2024 (this will continue to be a minimal disturbance to customers as it requires little to no excavation) and is approximately 50% complete. Water main installation work started on Lynda Drive on December 20, 2023 and finished January 25, 2024. Sewer main installation work started on James Drive on December 20, 2023 (starting at Scenic Drive) and has progressed to completion. Water main and lateral installation continues to progress well on James Drive and is progressing towards completion the week of April 22, 2024.

New sanitary sewer main and lateral installation work started on Lynda Drive March 7, 2024 and is progressing towards completion by the week of April 15, 2024.

One crew for the contractor returned to the Scenic Drive area and completed the replacement of sanitary sewer traps and has been working on remaining yard restoration activities on Scenic Drive, Edie Drive and James Circle.

Roadway paving was completed December 22, 2023 on Scenic Drive and James Circle. The process involved the tamping of stone backfill and the installation of base course paving up to existing roadway grade and the final cleanup of stone debris from the roadway.

Driveway paving on Scenic Drive properties was completed December 20, 2023. The driveway restoration process involved the tamping of the existing stone backfill, installation of a base course of approximately 6 inches of new macadam to about 1-1/2 inches to existing driveway grade and then the final installation of approximately 1-1/2 inches of final wearing course paving to grade. New paving was sealed around the perimeter where it abuts the existing driveway paving.

Temporary base to grade paving started on James Drive the week of April 8, 2024 and will continue to progress throughout the month of April as asphalt plants have now reopened. This will continue to improve road conditions as stone-filled trenches are being replaced with macadam.

** SPECIAL NOTE:  Final sewer connections to manholes located within Rt. 897 are planned to occur on April 22 & 23, 2024, weather permitting.  Travelers in the area will experience flaggers, modified traffic patterns and partial lane closures on these days.

FAQS
Q:   When will this project be completed?
A:    We anticipate project completion in late Spring/early Summer 2024.  Of course, the winter weather will play a factor in our hopeful completion time frame.

Q:   Why is the contractor starting work so early in the morning?
A:    AH Moyer is generally working approximately 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday, so our customers do not have to contend with the construction and noise on Fridays and weekends. Friday work has been incorporated into the schedule recently to mainly accomplish site cleanup and driveway/yard restoration activities. AH Moyer is also trying to stop construction by late afternoon, so our customers are able to have a quiet evening without the construction and noise. In order to accomplish these things, AH Moyer must start earlier in the morning.  We understand that it is and has been noisy and disruptive, but please keep in mind that this is a temporary situation and the end result will be a brand-new water and sanitary sewer system in your area.

Q:   Will you have to dig up my property; and if so, who is responsible for the repair?
A:    The construction work will mainly impact the street; however, portions of driveways and yards will be affected.  The work is predominantly directed to occur within the public right-of-way.  Some properties may require additional work outside of the right-of-way.  During the replacement of the ECTA-owned water and/or sewer laterals, and the customary vent/traps, front yards may have to be dug up, landscaping may be disturbed, and driveways may need to be excavated.  Access to driveways will be accommodated as much as possible during work activities. Restoration (back to pre­construction conditions) to the impacted areas will be completed as part of the project.  Any macadam and grass area removed will be replaced and new permanent macadam (not temporary cold patch material) will be installed and sealed.  Note: The contractor will not be replacing the entire driveway as only a small portion of the driveway should be affected by the project.

Q:   Why is the new sanitary sewer vent pipe in my front yard so high?
A:    Per ECTA’s Construction Specifications, our requirement (and a standard requirement of most sanitary sewer systems) is to have the vent pipe a minimum of six inches above finished grade.  This minimizes the amount of rain water entering our sanitary sewer system, which would not be the case if the vent were installed flush to the ground.  The problem with being flush to the ground (although aesthetically more pleasing) is that it allows rain water to flow across the ground and directly into the sanitary sewer system.  In lower lying areas where pooling/ponding of rainwater occurs, significant amounts of unwanted rain water can enter the sanitary sewer system.  ECTA’s sewer is transmitted to either Ephrata Borough’s Treatment Plant #2 or Adamstown Borough’s Treatment Plant.  Since we must pay Ephrata or Adamstown Borough for every gallon that enters our sanitary sewer system, it is to our benefit and the benefit of our customers to have the vent pipes above finished grade to minimize the potential amount of rain water entering our system. This helps keep our costs down and in turn, the costs of our customers.  Also, having the vent pipe a minimum of six inches above finished grade keeps grass, stones, mulch and debris from easily entering the vent and either clogging the homeowner’s side and/or ECTA’s side, both of which can result in costly repairs.

Q:   My sewer vent/trap is in my driveway.  How will that be replaced?
A:    You will get a new 18-inch x 18-inch square driveway vent frame and cover that will house the vent and trap and will be finished off flush to the surface of the driveway.  We are doing this in all driveways that have the vent and trap in the macadam in order to eliminate a tripping hazard and avoid damage that can occur from snow removal and vehicles.

Q:   When will final paving occur?
A:    Before Winter, the contractor will ensure that all stone is compacted down and will install permanent base course paving to grade level.  According to the Township, they are planning to mill and overlay the entire street from curb to curb in the Spring of 2025.

Q:   What is being used as backfill material?
A:    It is all stone backfill.  There are detailed construction specifications that the contractor must follow regarding the backfill material and how it is to be compacted. An independent third-party testing agency will periodically test the contractor’s backfill placement and compaction practices.

Q:   What can I do if I have a question, complaint or concern?
A:    You can call our office at 717-336-1731 or email us at water@ecocalicotwpauth.com. ECTA’s on-site inspector, David Beckman, has been and will be on-site throughout the entire project, so feel free to reach out to him with your question, complaint or concern.

Q:   I am not getting my mail.  What can I do?
A:    At the start of the project, ECTA contacted the Post Office to make them aware of the construction.  The Post Office, contractor and ECTA’s on-site inspector are coordinating on a daily basis with mail carriers to help ensure minimal disruption of mail delivery. If it has been several days since you received your mail, please locate our on-site inspector, David Beckman, call our office at 717-336-1731 or send us an email at water@ecocalicotwpauth.com.