The ripple effect of a new sewer tap-in fee in Grove City is being felt in nearby townships that use the borough's sewage-treatment plant.

In October, Grove City council passed an ordinance to charge a sewer tap-in fee of $750 for each new customer. The fee is supposed to help pay for the cost of upgrades to the treatment plant, which are estimated at about $6 million, Borough Manager Terry Farren said. Work on the plant could begin late next year or early 2005.

"It's a pass-through," said Pine Township solicitor Timothy McNickle. "Places like Pine Township and Harrisville have sewer collector systems but transport it to the borough for treatment. Future Pine Township users have to pay it. Pine Township doesn't keep the money at all. We just get it and pass it onto the borough."