×
×
homepage logo

New wastewater treatment facility discussed at watershed association

By Staff | Feb 21, 2012

MONTGOMERY – On Tuesday, February 7, Eric Moore, Executive Director of the West Branch Regional Authority, gave a presentation to the Black Hole Creek Watershed Association at the Montgomery Borough Building in downtown Montgomery.

Speaking to a crowd of close to twenty people, Moore broke down the Authority’s plans for a new sewage treatment plant, and specifically, its effects on Black Hole Creek.

The new system will be a partnership between Montgomery and Muncy Boroughs, as well as Muncy Creek and Clinton Townships, and will comply with federal regulations to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

According to Moore, pipes for the current system, which are within concrete encasements, cross the creek in two places; both areas are being worn down from debris, and will need to be replaced soon. The West Branch Regional Authority hopes to take the new system across the creek in only one location, reducing the chances of contamination. The pipe could bore far under the creek as well, avoiding future exposure, and future investment to replace it.

Montgomery and Muncy both have their own sewage treatment plants at this time. Both are aging, and located in flood prone areas.

The twenty five million dollar project will make it easier for the communities to comply with current and future federal mandates, especially those regarding Nitrogen levels. In order to comply on the present system, the communities must use Nitrogen credits, which are increasing in price as demand increases.

Overall, the new sewage treatment system will lead to significant savings, and, as Eric Moore put it, ” It will benefit us, our kids, and our grandkids.” Those in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting seemed to agree that this will be a positive investment for our community.