The Vandling pumping station serves the Borough of Vandling in northern Lackawanna County and is connected to the LRBSA’s Clinton Township wastewater treatment plant. A new project is underway to install a gravity sewer line that will bypass the pumping station and direct wastewater to the treatment plant through gravity flow. This improvement will allow for the decommissioning of the pumping station and provide several key benefits, including:

• • Elimination of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO): The current sewer system, which collects both sanitary sewage and stormwater, can exceed capacity during heavy rainfall. This excess flow is diverted to a PADEP-permitted CSO and discharged into a nearby watercourse leading to the Lackawanna River. The new system will direct all wet-weather flows to the treatment plant, effectively eliminating the CSO.
  • Reduced Operations and Maintenance Costs: Decommissioning the pumping station will eliminate ongoing costs for electrical usage, mechanical and electrical parts, maintenance services, and fuel for the emergency generator.
  • Lower Energy Use and Emissions: The project will reduce energy consumption, lowering the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions associated with pumping operations.
  • Increased Reliability: By removing the need for electrical and mechanical equipment, the new system will improve operational reliability and reduce the risk of malfunctions.

Construction includes approximately 6,900 feet of new 15” and 24” diameter sewer pipe, 20 sanitary sewer manholes, and requires over 200,000 cubic yards of earthmoving.

The project is primarily funded by a low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Construction began in October 2021 and is expected to be completed by July 2022.

Completed:

Construction Cost: $2,458,860