SUMMIT TWP — Despite rejection in April of their sewage plan, township supervisors are going to try again.

In March, Summit Township approached Jefferson Township officials about running a sewage line through Jefferson, from Herman to the Saxonburg Area Authority's sewage plant on Renfrew Road, following Thorn Creek.

After several public meetings and a lot of public outrage, Jefferson Township supervisors voted down the plan, even though Summit Township would have paid for the estimated $3.75 million cost of line construction at no cost to Jefferson.

At a special meeting Monday morning, Summit Township supervisors gave Ron Olsen and Associates permission to approach Butler and Penn township leadership with the same plan.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has told Summit Township officials to find a solution to the large amount of sewage being produced by Summit Academy and area septic systems that are not working correctly.

Olsen, whose Butler-based engineering and architectural firm serves as Summit Township engineers, said the plan to run a sewage line from Herman to Old Plank Road in Penn Township and tie into the Saxonburg system is still the cheapest alternative.

"The Saxonburg authority is interested in the project because it would add to its customer base and keep costs low for customers," Olsen said.

Constructing the tap-in is cheaper than the alternatives for Summit Township, as well, including building its own treatment plant or tying into the Buffalo Township Municipal Authority's sewage system.

Olsen said the Butler Area Sewer Authority sent Summit Township a letter explaining that the township would need to update several pump stations before BASA would consider the addition.

That too makes the sewage line the cheapest alternative, Olsen said.

"In Butler and Penn townships, we have municipalities that have had a good experience with public sewage and may be a better fit for us," Olsen said.

Jefferson Township has no public sewage.

Olsen presented the idea of the sewage line at the Butler Township commissioners meeting Monday. The commissioners said they would not comment until they see the reaction of Penn Township supervisors to Olsen's presentation. The supervisors meet tonight.