|
120 Logans Ferry Road,
New Kensington, PA 15068
Phone 724.335.9813
Fax 724.335.8289
|
|
As is the case with most northeastern communities in the U.S., parts of the sewer system that is tributary
to the MSANK wastewater treatment plant were constructed a long time ago and are now antiquated. The
aging of sewer infrastructure can result in many issues ranging from poor structural condition of pipes and
manholes to challenges in operating the system to comply with current-day regulatory policy that was not in
place when the sewers were originally designed and constructed.
One of the largest challenges with antiquated sewer systems is the need to manage excessive storm water
that enters the sewers when it is raining or during snow melt. When there is no rainfall or snow melt
occurring, the sewage collection system, which transports wastewater from thousands of homes to the
wastewater treatment plant, operates effectively.
But when it rains or when snow melts, extra storm water gets into the sewage collection system through
direct connections and/or through leaky, cracked pipes and manholes. This extra volume of storm water
overloads the sewage collection system pipes and raw sewage may overflow before it reaches the treatment
plant - into basements, streets, rivers, and streams. The wet weather issue in the sewer systems that are
tributary to the MSANK wastewater treatment plant is related to both combined sewers and separate sewers.
|
Combined Sewer System
Click Image to Enlarge
|
Some parts of the sewer collection system that are tributary
to the MSANK wastewater treatment plant were constructed
as a Combined Sewer System. This type of sewer system
collects both rain water runoff and wastewater from homes and
businesses within the same pipe. The combined sewers bring
the combined wastewater to the wastewater treatment plant
for proper treatment prior to discharge to the river. During
larger rain storms or snow melts, however, the combined
wastewater is collected at a rate beyond the capacity of some
sewers and the treatment plant, and therefore some of this
mixture overflows to the river. These overflow locations are
called Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) and were installed
and permitted as part of the original sewer system to protect
residents and business from sewer back-ups into basements. Because combined sewer overflows are a
mixture of rain water runoff and wastewater, the discharges contain pollutants that are associated with the
wastewater from homes and businesses. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
there are 772 communities in the United States that have Combined Sewer Systems.
|
Separate Sewer System
Click Image to Enlarge
|
The sewer collection system that is tributary to the MSANK
wastewater treatment plant is predominately a Separate Sewer
System. Separate sewer systems collect wastewater from
homes and businesses in pipes that are separate from storm
water pipes. The separate sewer system routes the wastewater
to the wastewater treatment plant for proper treatment prior
to discharge to the river, however these sewer systems may
exhibit poor performance due to a variety of factors that include
structural and hydraulic deficiencies. Many of these deficiencies
are the source of rain water inflow and infiltration to the sewers,
which can result in wastewater being collected at a rate beyond
the capacity of some sewers and the treatment plant. In some
cases, where the rain water inflow and infiltration to the sewers is excessive, the mixture of wastewater is
spilled from the sewer system without treatment. These spills are called a Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO)
and can occur at many different types of locations, including an emergency overflow structure or through the
lid of a sewer manhole. The untreated sewage from these overflows
can contaminate our waters, causing serious water quality problems.
It can also back-up into basements, causing property damage and
threatening public health. According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), there are at least 40,000 SSOs each year
throughout the U.S.
|
|
The MSANK Wastewater Collection System
The MSANK wastewater collection system is a network of gravity
sewers, force-mains, and pump stations in the City of New
Kensington that convey wastewater to the MSANK wastewater
treatment plant. The MSANK wastewater water collection system also
receives wastewater from sewer systems located in Plum Borough,
the City of Lower Burrell and the City of Arnold. These sewer systems
are owned and operated by the respective municipalities however
their flows are conveyed into the MSANK system and to the MSANK
wastewater treatment plant.
Click Image to Enlarge
|
|
Within the City of New Kensington,
the wastewater collection system consists of approximately 63 miles of
combined and separate sanitary sewer lines ranging in size from 8-inches
to 48-inches, and with three primary wastewater pumping stations: 1) Valley
Camp PS; 2) Linden Avenue PS; and 3) Days Inn PS. The collection system
network converges at the MSANK wastewater treatment plant where
the flow is pumped into the treatment facilities. There are six combined sewer
overflow (CSO) locations in the City of New Kensington, which are located
adjacent to, and overflow to the Allegheny River. There are additional
CSO locations within the City of Arnold that are owned and operated by the City of Arnold.
|
|
How is MSANK Addressing the Wet Weather Issue?
The wet weather issue, to varying degrees, resides in each of the communities
that are tributary to the MSANK wastewater treatment plant. Combined sewer
overflows, as well as the pollutants discharged, must be controlled in accordance
with the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Sewer Overflow Policy.
Sanitary sewer overflows must be controlled in accordance with the Clean Water Act.
Over the next several years our communities will be performing the work to meet a series
of requirements for developing a comprehensive wet weather management plan.
Plan development includes sewer system mapping, flow monitoring, planning, designing,
and constructing improvements to the existing system. Close municipal cooperation,
public awareness, and community support are all required to meet the
plan development schedule.
|
|
|