DANVILLE -- The Susquehanna River cuts through Montour County as it zig-zags its way down the state toward the Chesapeake Bay. Quiet as it laps against its banks, a problem lies beneath the surface.

Pollutants dumped into the river by community after community are slowly taking a toll in bay waters, which could put a big squeeze on residents here in Danville, 150 miles from the Chesapeake.

In the past two years, nearly 30 million fewer pounds of blue crab have been harvested from the bay. The numbers for oysters harvested is more striking: A 97 percent drop since harvest highs in the 1950s.

Following the signing of an agreement to clean up the Chesapeake Bay in 2000, Pennsylvania committed to a massive undertaking to remove the bay from the federal Clean Water Act's list of impaired waters.

Because of its stature as one of the state's largest plants, the Danville Sewer Treatment Plant is part of the first phase of 63 plants required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous emissions as part of the Chesapeake Bay Compliance Plan.

A total of 184 plants are affected by this first phase, which state officials have said could cost about $620 million with the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association estimating at least $1 billion.

As part of the first phase, Danville's plant is required do an estimated $18 million in upgrades to its 55-year-old facility. The project could force rates to skyrocket by the 2010 deadline.

If rates increase 200 to 400 percent -- a jump not out of the question according to local government officials -- Dick and Pauline Umstead would be forced to cut back on something.

"It's at a point you cannot do everything with what you have," Umstead said. Umstead and his wife live on Social Security and an investment his wife has.

"We're more fortunate than some people who have to decide to eat or heat their house. It's definitely going to hurt everybody," the Grand Street resident said.

The Umsteads currently pay about $88 a quarter for both water and sewer services. Danville's current sewer rates are among the lowest in the state.

"We have paid for sewer services over the years and I don't know if they have done anything and now all of a sudden, they need to revamp," said Umstead, a retired floor installer who turns 67 in May.

Retired plumber John Pope, 82, pays sewer fees for three properties, including the home where he and his wife Darlis live. A Danville resident for more than 50 years, he estimates he pays $333 a quarter for water and sewer.

He isn't fond of paying more in rates with the cost of food and fuel going up. "But I don't think we'll have much choice," he said.

Mike Brady, also of Danville, called the proposed increase "a rip-off, just like gas."