Multi-Million Dollar Pipeline Proposed To Benefit Bucks County Economic Development
Falls Township, PA - The Keystone Industrial Port Complex (KIPC), a commercial real estate site for heavy industrial tenants located in Falls Township, recently announced that the Morrisville Municipal Authority has submitted an application to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a $4.75M grant to fund construction of a sanitary sewage pipeline. The proposed pipeline would transport sewage from the KIPC to the Morrisville wastewater treatment plant in Morrisville, PA. As part of the proposed project, United States Steel (USS), developer of the KIPC, would contribute approximately $1.6M to round out necessary funding.
This project marks a critical step for economic development in Bucks County as it will build infrastructure essential to attracting companies to the region and provide a public sewer option to local businesses and residents where none presently exists. The KIPC site currently treats approximately 65,000 gallons of sanitary sewage onsite for its operations and businesses. The new pipeline would accommodate significantly more than the estimated 375,000 gallons per day that might be generated from a fully developed KIPC and surrounding areas.
The Morrisville plant is the publicly owned treatment works that is located nearest to the KIPC. With a permitted capacity to treat 7.1 million gallons of sewage per day, the facility is able to handle capacity well beyond the additional projected flow. That capability is beneficial in attracting growth within the KIPC as well as the neighboring riverfront district.
In addition to enhancing potential for economic growth, the proposed 3.8 mile pipeline is expected to create a safer and healthier sewage treatment option for residents along its route who currently use septic mounds or cesspools for sewage disposal. Project funding would substantially relieve the burden of bearing the cost of improved sewage infrastructure, an eventuality looming for the municipalities and residents and businesses therein.
"Although this project is at a very early stage, we're optimistic that it can provide benefits for everyone involved. To be successful, the project will require consideration and cooperation with and among public and private sector interests. We are encouraged thus far and appreciate that the Morrisville Authority and the Township of Falls Authority are willing to examine this opportunity," said Tom Jennings, counsel to USS. "This is a vital piece of infrastructure that can serve local citizens and employees, job creation and the environment today and well into the future."
Along with a proposed strategy and specific technical details, the application submitted includes letters of support from numerous regional employers including new resident companies Gamesa Wind US, a global windmill manufacturer, and Osstem, a dental implant manufacturer from South Korea which in October announced plans to locate at the KIPC, bringing an estimated more than 600 jobs to the area.
Last week, resolutions to support the application were approved in votes at meetings of both the Morrisville Authority (4-0) and the Township of Falls Authority (3-0-1).
SOURCE: KIPC