Published: November 14, 2009 11:23 pm      

Water source switch could spur development

PATTON — Suddenly, the potential for public and private development along the corridor leading to Rock Run Recreation Area looks brighter.

More than $6 million has been spent in recent years on an upgrade of the Patton wastewater treatment plant. That, coupled with a possible switch from Chest Creek to wells as the area’s water source, could be good news.

The 6,000-acre park draws tens of thousands of all-terrain vehicle riders annually. While the area is largely undeveloped, many of those visitors come looking for places to eat and sleep.

“We’ve been working for several years coming up with a plan for sewer and water,” said Fred Querry, director of planning and economic development at Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission.

The regional economic development commission has been the conduit for federal Appalachian Regional Commission funds for the park.

Currently, Rock Run is served by one insufficient well for water and a sand mound for sewage.

While the park continues to look for funding to develop the infrastructure, Patton, with better and less expensive water, would be in a good position to provide the utility, local leaders say.

Public water sources also exist north of the park through a regional water system in the Reade-White townships area. Like the Patton system, Reade-White is about three miles from the park, Querry said.

Improvements in the water and sewer systems would open the door for residential housing as well as economic development, said Councilman Joe Noel.

“Patton can’t grow, but there is a lot of area growth potential outside the borough,” Noel said.

“It would open the door for that area between Rock Run and Patton for housing development.”

A larger system, with more people paying the cost of debt service and operation, would translate into savings for current users, he said.

“If we can expand the customer base for water and sewer, it would result in better costs for borough residents,” Noel said.

Plenty of quality, affordable water would help the entire area, Patton Mayor Steve Bakajza said.

“Once we get this well project under way, we will have made a lot of progress in Patton,” he said.