EAST VINCENT — Pennsylvania American Water hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new water treatment plant in East Vincent Township that, in the future, will provide the water for the company’s Royersford water system. The $123 million investment will include numerous treatment enhancements and critical infrastructure best practices, according to a press release.
Company officials were joined by township officials at the Oct. 17 ceremony, where the name of the new plant was also unveiled: Lock 57 Water Treatment Plant. The name “Lock 57” was chosen as the new plant’s name in honor of the historic lock on the former Schuylkill Canal, which still exists nearby.
“Infrastructure projects like this new treatment facility allow us to continue delivering award-winning water quality and reliable water service to our customers,” Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water, said in a statement. “This project represents Pennsylvania American Water’s long-term strategic investment and commitment to system resilience, regulatory compliance and industry best practices.”
The existing Shady Lane Water Treatment Plant, which is about a quarter mile away, was constructed in 1918 and has been expanded numerous times, according to the company. Despite its age, Shady Lane has repeatedly received Directors Awards from the U.S. EPA’s Partnership for Safe Water, most recently receiving the 10-Year Directors Award earlier this year.
As the facility neared the end of its useful life, due to site limitations at the existing plant, the company purchased a new Greenfield site from the Commonwealth in 2019 for construction of the new plant.
Construction on the new facility will get underway before the end of the year, and is expected to be completed in 2027. Until then, the Shady Lane Water Treatment Plant will remain in service.
“When you look around, you see everything that relies upon quality water, and that’s something we’re very proud that Pennsylvania American Water provides, not only to us, but to the surrounding communities,” Bob Zienkowski, East Vincent Township manager,” said in a statement. “We are proceeding forward with this as a partnership to make this project a success, and it’s been a pleasure working with Pennsylvania American Water so far through the planning process.”
Construction of the new plant will include:
• Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection system to provide another layer of protection against viruses and bacteria that could be present in surface water sources• Primary plate settlers for pretreatment• Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters• Lagoons for solids handling• Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for disinfection• Ammonia for chloramination• Carbon feed for taste and odor control• Corrosion control
Pennsylvania American Water’s Royersford water system overall provides drinking water and fire protection to nearly 50,000 people in East Coventry, East Pikeland, East Vincent, West Vincent, Spring City, Royersford, Upper Providence, Limerick, and Lower Pottsgrove. Lock 57 will have the capacity to treat 6.6 million gallons of water per day, and like the current plant, will utilize the Schuylkill River as its source of supply.
Source: Berkshire mont
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