ADAMS TWP — A proposed $13.7 million project at the Breakneck Creek Regional Authority would increase the amount of wastewater the facility could handle by 50 percent.

According to a legal notice, the authority has developed an update to its Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan for the communities it serves, which includes all of Adams Township, Mars, Seven Fields and Valencia; portions of Cranberry, Forward and Middlesex townships in Butler County; and portions of Pine and Richland townships in Allegheny County.

Authority Manager Michael Davidson said the plan calls for adding two additional basins to the facility on Mars-Evans City Road. The facility currently has four basins and can process 3 million gallons of water each day, and the upgrade would increase that capacity to 4.5 million gallons per day. The plan also calls for upgrades to the system’s sludge dewatering process.

Davidson said studies show that with projected growth over the next five years in the area, the increased capacity will be necessary. The authority currently provides service to 9,000 customers.

“We want to stay ahead of development and not get caught behind,” he said.

Davidson said the authority has enough money from tap-in fees and other sources in its coffers to cover the work. However, he said if a bond or loan is sought for portions of the work, it would not result in an increase in user cost.

Additionally, the authority has enough staff to operate and maintain the system, and no new employees would need to be hired.

The plan can be viewed at the authority’s office, and a public comment period runs through Oct. 4. If approved, site work could begin later this year, with hopes of having the project completed next fall.