Although Hermitage is likely to commit to a costly upgrade of Sharon's wastewater treatment plant, residents will not see an additional rate hike to finance the city's share of the work.

Hermitage commissioners will consider the matter July 30.

Under order from the state Department of Environmental Protection, Sharon must expand the plant to treat 8.66 million gallons a day, up from its current capacity of 4.5 million gallons a day.

The Upper Shenango Valley Water Pollution Control Authority, of which Hermitage is a member, owns one-third of the plant and is responsible for that share of the $22.5 million cost, City Manager Gary P. Hinkson said Thursday.

Waste from the Patagonia section of Hermitage is taken to the Sharon plant by the authority, while waste from the other sections of Hermitage that have sanitary sewer service go to Hermitage's plant. Sewer fees for residents are the same no matter where they live in the city.