Overflow tank gets
full attention from Council

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The Philadelphia Water Department’s plan to bury a multimillion-gallon sewage tank below park ground in the Far Northeast got a lot murkier last week as City Council passed an ordinance that would seem to block the project.
On Thursday, Council unanimously passed an amended version of an anti-sewage tank bill introduced in April by members Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) and Joan Krajewski (D-6th dist.)
The bill awaits Mayor John Street’s signature, or his inaction, to become law. Street has until the next Council session on Sept. 20 to act.
The ordinance would prohibit the use of so-called sewage overflow tanks within 1,500 feet of residentially zoned areas in O’Neill’s 10th district or Krajewski’s 6th district, which together comprise a majority of Northeast Philadelphia.
Initially, the bill proposed to ban the tanks throughout the city, but the sponsors narrowed its scope to ensure its passage, O’Neill said.
The bill was the lawmakers’ direct response to the water department’s proposed solution to sewage overflows near the Poquessing Creek in Torresdale. During heavy rains, the pipes fill up with sewage that spills out of a manhole cover into the creek adjacent to Holy Family University.
The 4.25 million-gallon underground tank would instead hold this overflow until volume in the sewer subsides, city water officials have said. It could be in operation by 2011. But neighbors of the proposed site, near Hegerman Street and St. Denis Drive, are opposed to the tank, fearing a bad smell, destruction of their local park and declining home values.
The proposed site is in O’Neill’s district and within blocks of Krajewski’s district. Also, it is in the city’s 65th Ward, of which Krajewski is the Democratic leader.
"The water department has said publicly over and over that (the tank) is a tool in their toolbox," O’Neill said. "Well, they better find another tool in their box."
By banning the controversial tank from the proposed site, as well as other residential neighborhoods, O’Neill hopes to force the city to explore other options to solve the sewage problem, including repairs to the existing system.
In a public presentation to neighbors on June 7, water department officials acknowledged that system leaks and improper connections are to blame for storm water getting into the sewer during heavy rains and contributing to the unmanageable volume.
A large portion of the sewer volume comes to the Northeast from suburban communities including Bensalem, Lower Southampton and Lower Moreland, which pay the city to process their sewage.
"I don’t think our water department has any interest in finding out where (the storm water) is coming from and in cutting off Bucks County until it’s solved," O’Neill said.
"They should be working with the state to get Bucks County sorted out and the (federal government) if they have to, but they’re not asking for any help."
A water department spokeswoman did not return a telephone call requesting comment on the Council vote.
Other potential solutions discussed by water department officials and the councilman include pumping the sewage to a more remote location and installing additional sewer mains to handle the increased volume.
The water department has described the proposed tank as the most economical and practical solution. O’Neill disagrees, claiming it may be the easiest solution, but it won’t fix the existing problems in the sewer system.
Water department officials have said that the tank would come into use six to 10 times a year during heavy rain events. Now, that’s about how many times the manhole overflows into the creek.
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection is overseeing efforts by the city and suburban authorities to stop the overflows under the provisions of the Clean Streams Act. If the problem persists, the city and suburban municipalities could face restrictions on local construction.
In the city, that could impact the development of the former Philadelphia State Hospital site, commonly known as Byberry, into homes and office buildings. In Bensalem, it could impact development at PhiladelphiaPark Casino and waterfront development.
"If it does (affect development), that’s a separate issue," O’Neill said. "It’s not going to change anything with this tank. If it does, it does. That’s not my concern." ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com