FEDERAL MOGUL TO GET TOWN SEWER HOOKUP

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 25, 1992                   TAG: 9202250145
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
FEDERAL MOGUL TO GET TOWN SEWER HOOKUP
Federal Mogul Corp. wound up on a federal list of polluters several years ago for dumping toxic wastewater into the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
In an agreement worked out with Blacksburg officials, however, the bearings manufacturer plans to hook up to the town's sewer system by this summer.
"It worked out well for both parties," said Dave Hall, personnel manager.
The company will solve its water pollution problem in an affordable manner, he said. And the town will get an expanded pump station to attract more industries, as well as keep a company with about 670 employees.
"We weren't planning to leave, but it makes it all the easier to stay," Hall said.
Town Council, at tonight's meeting, likely will approve $11,839 for Anderson and Associates to study and design an expansion of the Cedar Run Pump Station to handle the company's discharge.
Currently, Federal Mogul pumps its wastewater through a five-mile pipeline to the North Fork, said Christopher Swan, an environmental engineer with the state Water Control Board.
Tests showed the discharge was toxic to aquatic life in the North Fork, which is part of the Roanoke River basin where the federally endangered Roanoke logperch can be found.
Federal Mogul landed on the Environmental Protection Agency's list for exceeding standards for lead, cadmium, cyanide, chromium and copper, Swan said.
The state is encouraging the company's plan to hook up to the town's sewer system to solve the problem, he said. "Really, what what they're doing is what they should have done a long time ago."
Federal Mogul will continue to treat its wastewater at the plant, said Blacksburg's Public Works Director Adele Schirmer. Studies have concluded that the toxics in the effluent won't affect the town's sewer system or treatment plant, Schirmer said.
Federal Mogul will pay $167,500 to hook up to the system, based on a flat rate of $300 per 400 gallons of wastewater daily, she said.
Part of the fee will pay for studies connected with the project, about $50,000 will pay to expand the pump station and the remainder will go into the town's water and sewer fund.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB