Sewer Treatment Plant Proposed for old Green Valley Golf Course

The McCandless Township Sanitary Authority, in a planning document, is suggesting the construction of a sewage treatment facility on the grounds of the former Green Valley Golf Course at 650 Lowries Run Road near the border of Ross and Ohio Townships.

"We would build what's called a sequential batch reactor, similar to the facility operating off of Hazlett Road in McCandless," said MTSA Executive Director William Youngblood. "We feel it's the least expensive way to handle the projected growth for the next 30-35 years along the Lowries Run watershed."

The plan has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Allegheny County Health Department, but construction would be years away.

"if approved, we would have to acquire the property, and the permitting process could take up to five years," said Youngblood. "The goal would be to have the plant up and running by 2026."

Allegheny General hospital currently owns the 36.8 acre parcel of land, much of which is in a flood zone. It is valued at $1,241,000 according to the Allegheny County Real estate web site.

Youngblood estimates the plant would cost about $75-million and would eliminate the need to send sewage on to the Alcosan plant near the Ohio River. 

"Alcosan is talking about spending $800-millon for a new plant to handle projected growth and prevent overflows," said Youngblood. "We think smaller, regional facilities such as the one proposed for Lowries Run is much more economical."

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