SALAMANCA — Plans for an engineering study on the city’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plant moved had its engineering firm approved by the Common Council Wednesday.

The city accepted a proposal from HUNT EAS of Horseheads for engineering services on the city’s inflow and infiltration study project.

“We received a grant from consolidating funding for the inflow and infiltration study for the city,” said grant administrator Sandi Brundage. “It’s a study to tell where we need to do some work. The study then has two engineering reports which then can help us decide how to fix the problems where we have inflow and infiltration issues.”

The project would study the wastewater treatment plant and focus on five key areas across the city with the intention of assisting the city in prioritizing capital improvement projects for the benefit of the sewer infrastructure and treatment plant, according to a letter from HUNT submitted to the city.

“We are looking at some ways to mitigate that by either lining the sewer lines so fresh water can’t get in just as sewer water goes to the plant instead of a bunch of fresh water,” said Dennis Hensel, Board of Public Utilities general manager.

Of the two bids submitted, both Brundage and Hensel recommended HUNT to the council.

A timeline schedule provided by HUNT shows a project kick-off meeting scheduled sometime in June. Flow monitoring and data gathering would begin in June and inflow and infiltration analysis performed starting in July with both wrapping up in October.

A preliminary engineering report with agency responses is expected to occur between September and January of 2023. Regulatory and agency submittal, the comment period and final approval are scheduled for between November and January.

The council also approved an application for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for $170,000 in federal funds with a $17,000 match from the BPU to install an emergency backup generator for the city’s Great Valley Creek substation.

“In the event of a power outage, we would have the ability to still pump water through the city,” Brundage explained.

The council also authorized a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Council on Addiction Recovery Services Inc. (CAReS) for a Drug Free Communities Grant for $10,000.

Brundage said the grant will go towards increased police bike patrols and police coverage during community events. The city received the same grant in 2021, she said.