Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority to Fix Its Sanitary Sewer System
(From a press release)
The Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority (NBCMA) has begun a sanitary sewer rehabilitation project throughout its service area thanks to a $9.4 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). PENNVEST’s funding was recently announced by state Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) and state Reps. Kristin Marcell (R-Richboro) and Joe Hogan (R-Trevose).
These efforts are part of a broader Connection Management Plan with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to address significant Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) concerns. I&I occurs when stormwater enters sewer pipes. By implementing an I&I abatement program, the authority is committed to reducing extraneous storm water in its sanitary sewer collection system, which helps alleviate hydraulic conditions—how the wastewater moves through the pipes and how efficiently it can be transported to the treatment plant—during wet weather events and lowers sewage disposal and treatment costs.
Jeffrey Greenwood, NBCMA Director of Operations, states, “Upgrading our aging sanitary sewer system will not only prevent overflows during heavy rains, but also lower treatment costs. These improvements will benefit both the environment and our ratepayers for years to come.”
Originally constructed between 1973 and 1980 using vitrified clay pipes, NBCMA is reinvesting and upgrading its aging sewer collection system. During wet weather events, the base flow is significantly increased, which can overwhelm pump stations and pipes creating sanitary sewer overflows. Recognizing the need for significant improvements, NBCMA has made substantial investments in its infrastructure and is now preparing for an even larger project to expedite the sanitary sewer pipe rehabilitation process. NBCMA worked with Pennoni Associates, Inc. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to develop the program and prepare the loan application to PENNVEST.
Mike Sullivan, NBCMA Executive Director, explains, “I am incredibly thankful for the team at NBCMA and the Northampton township supervisors who worked tirelessly alongside Pennoni and Associates to secure this grant from PENNVEST.”
Now that the monies have been secured, the authorization to bid the project was approved by the Authority Board at its monthly meeting on February 5th.
The project will focus on NBCMA’s service area that connects to the Neshaminy Interceptor, owned and operated by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA). This interceptor— a large sewer pipe that moves wastewater from collector sewers to a wastewater treatment facility—serves multiple municipalities before ultimately flowing into a system maintained by the City of Philadelphia, where the wastewater is treated. The Philadelphia treatment plant has imposed limitations on BCWSA regarding peak wet weather flows, prompting PADEP to require flow reduction.
NBCMA’s team has identified key areas for the sanitary sewer pipe rehabilitation project based on previous Corrective Action Plan (CAP) reports. The sanitary sewer service area has been divided into sub-basins, each monitored with meters to detect high flows. The proposed repairs to sewer mains and laterals will not disturb previously undisturbed land, wetlands, or floodplains, and will remain within public rights-of-way and authority-maintained easements.
Sullivan emphasizes,“NBCMA appreciates the support of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks), state Sen. Farry and State Representatives Marcell and Hogan and recognizes that PENNVEST’s funding will ultimately protect the health and well-being of the residents of Northampton and the surrounding communities.”
