By susan rumble

Special to The Press

Sewage pumps at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School have failed after only two years of service.

At the Parkland School Board’s Aug. 16 meeting, directors approved the purchase of two, five-horsepower pumps and two lift-out systems for the school plant at a cost of $23,244.

Director of Community Relations and development Nicole McGalla reported on the matter.

“The pumps have to be replaced immediately in order for school to be operational,” she explained.

At a recent buildings and grounds committee meeting, engineer Fred Ebert said the life span of the new pumps should be 7-10 years.

He stated alarms on the system provide warnings on any issues regarding function of the pumps.

Temporary pumps, which were used when the main ones failed, will be kept as spares.

In another sewage-related topic, the board granted permission for Tcne North Whitehall 2, LLC to perform physical inspections of the plant at Orefield Middle School.

The company’s studies will be performed at no cost to the district.

McGalla noted the OMS plant is not causing problems at this time.

The wastewater treatment plant at the high school will also undergo examination in the new term.

Assistant Superintendent Tim Chorones stated the district will work with Ebert Engineering of Skippack, and the state Department of Environmental Protection to make certain the plant is in compliance with stated permit regulations.

Chorones discussed a related district goal for 2022-23.

“We want to continue the process to remain on schedule to replace the antiquated wastewater treatment plant equipment with a new system,” Chorones said.

The district anticipates expansion and replacement of the high school sewage processing facility in the future.

In a different buildings and grounds issue, the board learned insurance will cover repairs to the foundation and footer damage caused by a sinkhole at Parkway Manor Elementary School.

With numerous construction and improvement capital projects planned for 2022-23, Chorones noted the school services department will prepare a Priority Matrix to identify the most critical work, along with a timeline and budget for each one.