Workers install piping for the distribution system at the recirculating sand filter treatment plant that will service the Forestville system. The system collects, conveys and treats sewage from about 80 residences.

As work wraps up on Mercer Township's sewage installations, officials warn residents to tie in before the deadline.

March 30 is the last day to tie in to the two new public systems available to some residents.

There are penalties for those who do not hook up their sewage in time, according to Rick Stuchal, chairman of the township board of supervisors.

“Public construction is all done and inspected,” Stuchal said. “We are pumping material from Harrisville to Grove City.”

The sewage project cost about $2.65 million. Work was done in two phases simultaneously.

The first phase involved building the Forestville system, which collects, conveys and treats sewage from about 80 village residences alone.

“This type of treatment system was selected due to the minimal operation and maintenance that is required for it,” said Carrie Murray, project manager from the EADS Group. “It operates similar to a typical on-lot mound system, but has a liner under the piping and aggregate that allows for the flow to be recirculated through the treatment system multiple times if necessary.”

The second phase involved extending Harrisville borough's system for nearby township residents.

Stuchal said areas east and west of Harrisville, especially along Route 58, were having problems with on-lot sewage systems.

“That area, we collect it, and it goes into the Harrisville system which is processed in Grove City,” he said.

The new sewage systems will cost $60 per month to any resident who has access to the public system.

Money collected from Forestville residents goes toward maintaining the village's new system. Money collected from the extended Harrisville system goes toward paying Grove City's charge for treatment paid by the township.

Stuchal said the goal for the installations was to help those in areas where lot sizes are smaller and soil is heavier, which causes problems for on-site systems.

“It's going to increase land values,” he said. “It's easier to sell a house with a public system than an on-lot system, generally.”

He said having the public systems could prevent leaking which is a problem for residents and their neighbors.

“Overall, it's going to be an improvement to the environment,” he said. “Definitely for the Forestville area, it's going to be a safer environment.”