Hempfield dissolves relationship with Crabtree Sewage Authority

Hempfield officials have dissolved their relationship with the Crabtree Sewage Authority.

Supervisors Monday voted unanimously to leave the 15-year-old authority that was originally founded by Salem, Unity and Hempfield to provide sewage to about 900 homes in the area. A lack of funding, however, stopped any plans from coming to fruition.

Now, the northern region of the township will be taken over by the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, the entity that covers Hempfield, after supervisors in 2016 sold their sewer system to the authority.

“(Crabtree) was a joint authority under some good plans based upon some promised financing that didn’t occur,” said township solicitor Scott Avolio. “So without that funding source it probably won’t come to fruition, but maybe that area of Hempfield Township — in combination with MAWC’s plan to expand service in the township — may sewer that area.”

The decision to dissolve the relationship with the Crabtree Sewage Authority will not impact Salem or Unity townships, Avolio said, noting that both municipalities are able to opt out of the authority as well.

“This is more a trigger to get a new direction going,” said Supervisor Rob Ritson. “I think it’s important to note we’re working in conjunction with Unity and Salem townships in finding that new solution. … We have to find a solution to providing sewage to the northern end that flows back down toward Crabtree as well.”

Avolio added, “Hempfield just wants to withdraw because we can take its geographical borders and say, ‘Let’s bring that back to the drawing board.’ ”