Township Seeks Storm-Sewer Project Funding

The tides may be turning for local residents who have long contended with flooding and water buildup.

The Horsham Township Council voted unanimously Monday to move forward with a federal grant application to support a storm-sewer project to contend with excess rainwater.

If approved, the 12 storm-sewer inlets would be installed in the area of Broadway, Jefferson and Watson avenues in the Horsham Terrace neighborhood. 

"There isn't enough space there for a water basin so we're looking to install the inlets to capture the water," said Township Manager Bill Walker. Walker said residents in the neighborhood have been clamoring for action after repeatedly facing tough cleanups after rainstorms.

"This wouldn't be able to help much during storms like , but even in normal rain, these homes are in the lower part of the area and are really hammered hard," he said. "So this would help with the water issue."

The township will seek between $60,000 to $65,000 from the federal Housing and Urban Development. Last year, HUD granted Montgomery County $4 million, but Walker noted that that figure had been slashed to $2 million this year.

Grant awardees will be announced in October, and the project would be completed by Sept. 30, 2013.