Council approves MAWC plan to add 2.4 million‑gallon water tank during rehab of existing reservoir

Murrysville Borough Council approved a land‑development plan Wednesday allowing the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) to install a 2,400,000‑gallon potable storage tank adjacent to the existing 5,000,000‑gallon Lyons Run reservoir.

Gibson Thomas engineer Chris Wharton said the existing concrete tank, built in 1980, requires interior concrete repairs, cleaning and new waterproofing that will take roughly three to four months. To avoid leaving the system vulnerable for fire protection or supply interruptions during the rehab, MAWC proposed the new 2.4 million‑gallon tank be constructed, put into service, and then used in combination with the rehabilitated existing tank once repairs are complete.

Wharton said the project was bid and awarded to DN Tanks for $3,450,000; because that value greatly exceeds the usual stormwater amenities estimate, MAWC asked for a waiver on the amenities bond and for a waiver related to the landscape architect seal due to existing tree buffers. Wharton showed aerials and noted a 42‑foot band of existing mature trees to the north that screens the tanks from nearby residences.

Council approved the plan and the listed waivers; staff will require contractors to maintain and restore access roads during construction and to follow standard permit conditions. Construction was described as roughly six months from site work to completion if work begins in the spring; once both tanks are in service the combined system storage in that area will be about 7,400,000 gallons.