This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Amidst water and sewer price hikes from City of Lebanon Authority (COLA), Cornwall Borough Council is negotiating with Elizabethtown for possible purchase of the Open Pit.

Following COLA price increases, the council increased resident water and sewer prices by 10 percent in November.

Read More: Cornwall Borough Council advertises budget, notifies of water/sewer rate hike

At that time, council notified the public that talks are in progress with Elizabethtown to purchase the Open Pit to supply Cornwall with water.

The Open Pit, or Miners Lake, is the former site of an open pit mine that has long since flooded.

Council President Bruce Harris said in November that 500,000 gallons of water could be pumped from the lake each day without lowering water levels. The borough averages 250,000 each day, and is currently allotted up to 325,000 each day from COLA.

If the plan reaches fruition, Harris said, the excess water could potentially be sold to neighboring municipalities.

At this month’s meeting, the board requested quotes for a hydrogeologist to look into the feasibility of well drilling at the site.

At this point, nothing is final. Updates will likely be discussed at future council meetings.

Cornwall Borough Council meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.