In a virtual meeting Monday night, Mars Borough Council discussed a joint study that several southern Butler County municipalities willingly want to conduct in anticipation of separate municipal storm sewer system (MS4) regulations.

As previously reported by the Eagle, an ongoing project of the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires municipalities to control the amount of pollutants and sediment that runs into local waterways.

An MS4 is required in municipalities fitting a certain population density with storm systems that don't tie into sewer systems.

The joint study would help pinpoint possible stormwater solutions.

“The county is also funding 20 percent of this,” said Ben Gilberti, a regional group manager for the engineering firm HRG.

The hiring of HRG for the study is contingent upon approval by all municipalities involved in it.

According to Gilberti, municipalities would cover the remaining 80 percent based on their land size. Mars Borough's portion would be about $5,400 of the total expected cost of around $76,380.

Mars is the only one of nine municipalities targeted by the project that has yet to approve participating in the study. Adams, Cranberry, Jackson and Lancaster townships and Seven Fields, Zelienople, Evans City and Harmony boroughs agreed to participate.

Council President Mike Fleming asked HRG representatives to present information during the meeting to clarify the project and its financial impacts.

Fleming said while he recognized the need for better stormwater infrastructure in many places in Butler County, he's concerned about the responsibility of funding for the study falling on the shoulders of municipalities.

It's largely a matter of principle, according to Fleming: If the government mandates MS4 requirements, then it should cover the costs associated with preparing for them.

“We all should be willing to help and accomplish this,” Fleming said. “(But) we didn't create the mandate. We're just trying to live with it.”

Gilberti said one of the things the study aims to do is find answers tailored to each municipality's needs.

Specifically, it looks at the effects of flooding on the lower part of Connoquenessing Creek.

“The focal point that we're looking at is Route 19 in Zelienople,” Gilberti said.

Municipalities affected by the joint study participated in group discussions earlier this year, but Fleming said he was unable to attend the discussions.

“I was out of the country,” Fleming explained. “(But) I did ... correspond with various people.”

Fleming said he'd like to sit down with municipal leaders once again to discuss how the study fits into MS4, adding he's not sure how much insight the study will offer, especially when borough leaders aren't clear on what DEP expects for MS4.

“I struggle with why this group of municipalities would want to invest,” Fleming said.

Fleming said Mars already has about $20,000 invested in engineering for understanding the borough's stormwater needs. The DEP said officials need to focus on sediment reduction over about 1,000 lineal feet of the borough's waterways, according to Fleming.

“Everyone has financial problems,” Gilberti said.

“We're not really hung up on the money,” Fleming said. “(It's) the principle.”

HRG officials said planning for the future is important to sustainable stormwater management. They believe the study will help municipalities prepare for the coming MS4 requirements.

Borough officials told Gilberti they want to consider the information they received before making any decisions about joining the study.

“We'll digest (this) conversation and see where we are,” Fleming said.

The hiring of HRG for the study is contingent upon approval by all municipalities involved in it.