Hello Wastewater Professionals,
Wow, 2026 is moving fast, April is winding down, and summertime is just around the corner. The Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association events are keeping pace. The WPWPCA held its first Plant Tour/Luncheon/Business Meeting at the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland Counties Avonmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on Friday, April 17th, 2026. Special thanks to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County for their hospitality and hosting this event. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County acquired the 50-year-old facility serving over 400 customers in 2001. This new Avonmore plant was constructed in 2024 and designed to handle the higher wet weather flows and prevent SSO. The new plant is a 3 basin SBR plant with UV disinfection, while the original plant tanks were converted to raw wet wells and digesters, now rated at 0.257 MGD. Originally it was an extended air plant rated at 0.190 MGD that discharges to the Kiskiminetas River. Please see this interesting link. History of the Kiskiminetas River – Kiskiminetas Watershed Association
Nearly 100 attendees and exhibitors enjoyed a great weather day touring the new plant and learning details of its design and operation. As always there was time to enjoy coffee and donuts, socialize and network with colleagues and friends. The catered lunch was delicious and plentiful at the nearby Avonmore Volunteer Fire Hall. After lunch the WPWPCA business meeting followed then door prizes and 50/50 raffle concluded this meeting.
Everyone is looking forward to the April 24th WPWPCA Sporting Clays Shoot happening at Hunting Hills Shooting Preserve located in Dillner PA. This event is a WPWPCA's Scholarship Fundraiser Event. Get ready for another 100 Round Sporting Clays Shoot event that is scheduled for the fall on October 5th 2026. Resister early to reserve your four-man team or individual(s) registration. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Upcoming May events include the Laboratory Supervisor Training (DEP Course #8859) on May 1st and another WPWPCA Plant Tour, Luncheon and Business meeting is fast approaching on May 15th. This event will be hosted by the Hermitage Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) and is a 7.7 MGD peak flow, DEP-permitted activated sludge wastewater treatment plant serving multiple municipalities and industrial partners. The facility operates an advanced Food Waste to Energy Program that processes organic waste through anaerobic digestion to generate renewable energy. In addition, the plant produces Class A Exceptional Quality (EQ) biosolids for beneficial agricultural use while protecting public health and the environment. Please visit https://wpwpca.org to register for these upcoming events.
The WPWPCA is seeking wastewater professionals and suppliers to join our association. Here is a link for more information.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:44e4091f-a921-4d7a-ae2a-c6cea9773d66
2026 New WPWPCA member registration and membership renewal is still open and available online. To Join Now go to https://wpwpca.org and click MENU and then Join Now- Online Application. Complete the registration form. To renew your WPWPCA Membership for 2026, please go to https://wpwpca.org and click MENU then Members Only then Renew My Dues.
To our Exhibitors and Sponsors, thank you for your current/past support and involvement with the Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association. Your company advertisements are now available to be posted on the WPWPCA Website. Company logo ads can be purchased for $200 and will link to your webpage. Company partial page advertisements are available for $250.00 Company Line Card website posting is available for $250.00 These Logo’s, advertisements and line cards will be posted on the WPWPCA Website April 1, 2026, and run for 1 year until March 31st, 2027. Space is limited, please go to https://wpwpca.org to order yours today.
Together, let us continue to lead with purpose, reach out to others to expand our membership, and continue making a lasting impact on the future of water quality in Western Pennsylvania.
With gratitude,
Scott Hinsch
President, Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association (2025–2026)
VP Engineering and Sales, DRV Inc.
