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Five Year Plan
As part of its commitment to planning for future growth and changing regulatory
requirements, the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority (WWMA) has conducted
a plant and system-wide comprehensive planning study. High priority
projects fall within the first 5-year planning period and include, but may not
be limited to the following:
- Replacement of
the Effluent Water System - The existing system has
been in operation since the initial construction of the plant and has recently
experienced breaks in the line due to the corrosion of the construction
material (Yoloy pipe).
- Disinfection
System Improvements
- The plant currently uses chlorine gas for disinfection of the final
effluent. The EPA is in the process of enforcing more stringent
regulations on chlorine use because of its potentially harmful effects on
aquatic life. It is recommended that the Authority consider a
ultraviolet (UV) system for effluent disinfection because if its proven
efficiency and long-term cost effectiveness.
- Plant SCADA
System - SCADA
systems are used at treatment plants to monitor processes and equipment, alert
employees of alarm conditions, record and store data, and provide remote
control of selected operations. The current monitoring system is
outdated, limited in its capabilities, and spare parts are not readily
available. With the installation of new, more sophisticated equipment
and software, it becomes necessary by default to update the plant-wide
monitoring system as well.
- Phase I GIS
- Manor and Irwin Boroughs are the only combined sewer communities in the WWMA
system. In an effort to be proactive with regards to the ongoing
combined sewer overflow (CSO) issue, WWMA is planning to evaluate the Manor
and Irwin sewer systems and develop a base map and database on manhole and
sewer system information.
- New CSO Meter
Installation -
The existing CSO meters currently that have been in operation at the three
regulator chambers in the WWMA's service area have been replaced with a
different type of meter so that better and more consistent data for overflow
events may be obtained.
- Final Clarifier
Modeling and Modifications
- The existing final clarifiers present constant maintenance problems to plant
workers due in part to circular mechanisms fit within square structures.
The clarifiers have mechanical corner sweeps to move sludge out of the
corners, but these sweeps are a constant maintenance problem, and spare parts
are no longer made. As a result, sludge will accumulate in the corners
and decrease the clarifier efficiency and reduce effluent water quality.
Modeling the clarifiers will help in determining the best course of action to
remedy the problem.
- NPDES Permit
Renewal - The
WWMA's current NPDES Permit expires in July of 2003; therefore, a new permit
package must be assembled for submission to the PaDEP to receive an
updated permit. The new permit application must be submitted to the
PaDEP in December 2002.
- Sewer Use Rules
Update - The
WWMA's sewer use rules have not been updated since the original construction
of the plant. In addition, with the proposed construction of an
Authority-maintained sewer system in Adamsburg Borough and a possible
acquisition of the Manor and Irwin sewer systems, an update of these rules
would be in the WWMA's best interest.
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