State DEP to Issue Sewer Hook-Up Permits in Shepherdstown

The Corporation of Shepherdstown has been ordered by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to stop issuing sewer hook-up permits until its sewage treatment capacity is increased. Beginning July 11th any future permits must be approved by the DEP. Shepherdstown Public Utilities Director Frank Welsh says the West Virginia DEP issues a permit every five years to operate a sewage collection and treatment system.  Since Shepherdstown’s facility has a sewage flow in excess of 90% of its capacity, the DEP must approve all future hook-ups until capacity is increased.Shepherdstown will be required to submit a Plan of Action within the next 90 days to the Department of Environmental Protection. Shepherdstown already has plans in place to double the sewage treatment capacity from the present 400,000 gallons per day over the next two or three years.