A much needed new sewer plant proposed for Marion Township was one of five projects across the state selected to receive a Community Development Block Grant.

Gov. Tom Wolf's office announced Wednesday that the township will receive $1 million to assist with the construction of a new sewer system near Boyers.

The county planning and economic development department received approval in August to apply for the grant.

The county became involved after Mark Gordon, planning department chief, realized the homes connected to the failing sewer system are of modest means, with some using tarps on the roof to keep the weather out.

Also, Marion Township operates on a tight budget and could not afford the initial cost of $6 million to replace the sewer system.

The lagoon-type system was left behind by U.S. Steel decades ago when it ceased operations at the Boyers mine, now the Iron Mountain specialty storage facility.

At the time, the lagoon-type sewer system served 50 homes and was operating properly. But no plan was ever put into place for routine maintenance of the plant, and it has deteriorated immensely.

The state Department of Environmental Protection placed responsibility for the sewer system in the hands of Marion Township after U.S. Steel ceased ownership.

Gordon enlisted the help of Joe Saeler, director of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, to study ways the project cost could be decreased and how to avoid financially burdening the township or the homeowners involved.

The team got the project costs reduced to $4.3 million, and Saeler said due to a recent Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority grant plus the block grant, the township should be funded or nearly funded.

“They are very close to getting moving on the project,” Saeler said. “Regarding community development, it's a very important project in that area.”

He said the new system will service 100 homes.

Township officials, Gordon and Saeler are now working out the tap fee amount, Saeler said.

Gordon agreed that the sewer plant project is an important one in Marion Township.

He said even if the project is not quite funded, the future looks promising.

“When you look at the recovery plan across the U.S., water and sewer are big, big hitters,” Gordon said. “There should be lots of opportunities over the next two to three years, so if they have some gaps, I think they should be able to fill them.”

A pool of funds totaling $121,000 is available to help low- to moderate-income homeowners connect their homes to the new sewer lines once the plant is complete.