Palmerton's Municipal Authority may spend over a half-million dollars to replace an existing reservoir.

A 100,000-gallon precast concrete tank would replace the reservoir at Sixth Street, an option the authority discussed on Tuesday.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson said the borough's Sixth Street reservoir was shut down to check the liner after it experienced water loss."They found that the liner was deteriorating," Danielson said. "While it's not a critical issue, it does show future maintenance.""That, coupled with other maintenance at the reservoir such as the roof structure, makes us think it's time to look at a new reservoir," he said.Barry Scherer, authority supervisor, said the reservoir was previously shut down for a period of about eight hours to inspect the liner. The reservoir was back in operation the same day, Scherer said.Scherer said about 400,000 to 450,000 gallons are pumped per day.Based on estimates, at a rate of $6 per gallon, a 100,000-gallon precast concrete tank could cost $500,000 to $600,000.Danielson said the authority has capital funds to pay for the new reservoir, and would not seek bond or loan financing for it.Eric Snyder, with Keystone Consulting Engineers, the authority's engineer, then weighed in on the situation."My concern is getting the tank to the site," Snyder said. "You're probably going to have to construct a new access."Danielson said the next step is to have the engineers look into possible tankage, and how best to locate it on the site.The authority also discussed estimates that were received for removal and reinstallation of the liner as well.Danielson said one of the drawbacks to that option is the time frame involved."It's estimated to take four days; we don't have the water capacity to serve the town for four days without re-pumping," he said. "That, coupled with the fact we are seeing some leakage on the reservoir, makes us think we have bigger issues down the road."Also on Tuesday, the authority discussed the wing wall on the north side of the Parryville Dam, which is leaking.The dam is the authority's industrial water source, Danielson said."It's been the site of repairs in the past, and we've got them again," he said.Danielson said a contractor will take a look to see how to face it off.Several weep holes may be installed so the water that builds behind it doesn't create pressure on it, Danielson said."We don't expect it to be an expensive issue," he said. "Just something that needs (to be) done."The authority would also fund that project as well, Danielson said.