Joint Sewer Authority

The East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Wastewater Treatment Plant, owned and operated by the East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority and located on the bank of the Schuylkill River, serves residents and industrial users of the three municipalities.

Originally designed in 1958 for 2.2 million gallons per day (MGD) the plant was put into operation in 1961. Treatment in 1961 consisted of a Conventional High-Rate Trickling Filter System with primary and secondary treatment. Sludge handling consisted of two-staged anaerobic digestion and dewatering using vacuum filtration. Filtered solids were disposed of on-site. In 1969 the plant capacity was doubled to 4.4 MGD with the addition of a second Trickling Filter System. A second vacuum filter was also added. Sludge disposal was discontinued with the installation of an on-site sludge incinerator. Ash from the incinerator was disposed of on-site.

As growth in the Townships continued throughout the 1970's, the capacity of the plant was increased again in 1980 to 8.1 MGD. Chemical, physical, and biological treatment processes were added to the existing facilities. The new 3.7 MGD activated sludge plant included primary sedimentation, aeration, final sedimentation, and chlorine disinfection. A new plant influent pumping station was added with comminutors, bar screens and larger wet wells. Solids handling for both trickling filters and the activated sludge plant includes scum collectors, gravity thickeners, two belt filter presses, and an incinerator. Due to the scarcity of land, the ash from the incinerator is now hauled to a landfill.

Three individuals from each community, who are appointed for staggered terms by the respective Boards or Council of each member Township, make up the Authority's Board. The Authority and its staff operate the large treatment plant in Plymouth Township on Ross Street.

Current East Norriton Members:

Kevin McDevitt / Joseph Gavanus / Keith Tornetta