Mystery Solved: Containers Were Septic Tanks
The five containers buried under the Dormont Pool parking lot used to be septic tanks, and all are being repaired.
The mystery of the five containers buried under the Dormont Pool parking lot has been solved.
The containers were once septic tanks, although borough manager Jeff Naftal said they don’t appear to have been in use for more than 75 years.
“We know what they are,” Naftal said. “We’re certain they were septic tanks, but we don’t know what they served.”
The Allegheny County Public Works Department sent the borough plans that cleared up the issue, Naftal said.
The plans, dated 1937, were for work being done on Banksville Road, but clearly showed three septic tanks at what is now the pool parking lot. The plans also included instructions for a contractor to remove the lids of those tanks and fill them.
“Of course, not only did we find five tanks instead of three, but clearly none of them were ever filled,” Naftal said. “So 75 years later, here we are.”
Naftal said it’s still unclear what the tanks might have served. It said they could have been for farms that used to be located in the area, or for a small railroad station that once was near the site.
The first container collapsed unexpectedly Feb. 27, taking a large portion of the Dormont Pool parking lot with it. Four more containers were found during excavation revealing pipes leading from one container to the next. Niando Construction collapsed and filled four of the containers to prevent future problems.
The fifth container was partially buried under Dormont Avenue. Because it would have been too expensive to close and repair the road, Naftal said, the roof of that container was not removed, but half of the container was opened and the entire container was filled with cement and stabilized.
The total cost of the repair work will not be known until the end of the week, but Naftal said that since the containers proved to be related to sewage management, the repair costs will be taken from the sewage budget.
Repair work should be complete by the end of the week, he said.
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David Clark
9:12 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I am not in agreement with Mr. Naftal's position that this should be treated as "Sewage Managrement" Yes it is a septic system but they are not connected to the public sewer system. I believe the Boro has "Emengency Contingency Fund" for this application? Should this emergency be paid from the Sewer Funds our Sewage Rates will again be subject to yet another increase.
Ed M
10:30 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I agree David. The cost to correct this problem should not come from sewage line item. If there is a "Emergency Contingency Fund", that is the place it should come from.
Erin Faulk
9:21 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Hi guys, I spoke with Mr. Naftal about this. The sewer fund is there to address all issues that would arise with any sewage system in the borough—and even though this system is from 1937, it's still in the borough. Mr. Naftal said there is more than enough money in the sewer fund to cover this repair work, and that this will not result in an increase to residents' rates or fees.
Ed M
10:15 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Thanks Erin.
What if something else occurs that is directly related to the sewer fund and that results in the need for an increase for the residents? How is that fair?
Erin Faulk
10:29 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The impression I get from speaking with Mr. Naftal is that there is enough money in this fund that a rate increase won't be an issue—even if something else happens. I don't know the amount of money in that fund off the top of my head, but the amount is included in the borough's budget, which is public info and is available on the borough's website.
Jason D Flaherty
2:28 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A 10 yard truck of concrete costs around $1,000. What was wrong with filling these tanks with oversized stone?
Erin Faulk
9:24 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Jason, thanks for your comment. Four of these five tanks were totally collapsed and back-filled. The fifth container could not be addressed this way because it sits partially under Dormont Avenue. Instead of totally collapsing and back-filling it—which would have required a shut-down and excavation of the road—that tank was filled with concrete on top of large rocks to prevent a collapse.
dormonter
11:19 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A gov't contractor does shoddy work and lies about the job. In 1937! The more things change, the more they stay the same. Just that this shoddy job lasted longer than most. Remember when the Parkway West was covered in "Superpave"? Supposed to last forever and didn't last a year.
David Clark
11:13 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Having served on a Sanitary Authority for 14 years I am convinced this is not a public sewage problem. It is not a question if the funds are available rather than which fund should be making the payment. If this is not considered an emergency application then what are the guidelines that establish "emergency"?
Erin Faulk
11:24 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
David, I'd suggest you talk to Mr. Naftal about this issue if you have concerns. I'm not an expert here.