Hello Wastewater Professionals,
As my term as President of the Western Pennsylvania Water
Pollution Control Association concludes later this month, I want to express my
sincere appreciation for the knowledge and support shared by our past WPWPCA
Presidents, Executive Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and Committee
Members. This Association’s strength and success are made possible by dedicated
wastewater professionals like you, who generously volunteer your time to serve
the organization and its members.
I also thank our Exhibitors and Sponsors. Your support is
essential to the success of this Association. To our members, thank you for
joining and participating in WPWPCA events and training sessions. Thanks to DRV
Inc. for supporting the WPWPCA and my involvement with the association over the
years. Serving in various WPWPCA roles deepened my appreciation for the work all
of you do every day and gave me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with
outstanding wastewater professionals.
The gavel will be passed during our October 16 Plant Tour
and Awards Luncheon at the Township of Hampton - Allison Park Water Pollution
Control Plant. Please plan to join us. Our next President, Dennis Duryea, will
lead with great experience and enthusiasm. The WPWPCA is in excellent hands,
and I look forward to a supporting role as Past President during my final
Executive Board term.
Some latest happenings, last month on September 18th, the
Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association held its Plant Tour hosted
by the Clairton Municipal Authority at 1 N. State St., Clairton, PA. The Clairton
Municipal Authority completed a plant expansion in the fall of 2025 through two
phases. Phase I included a new influent pump station and headworks, dewatering
facility, and digester, with construction completed in 2019. Phase II included
the MBR process and wet-weather storage and treatment facilities; construction
began in August 2022 and was completed in October 2025. The project increased
the plant’s average capacity from 6 MGD, with a 10 MGD peak, to 10.83 MGD average
flow and a 38.23 MGD peak. A delicious lunch was served nearby at the Creekside
Tavern. After lunch and with a full house, the general membership meeting was conducted
followed by door prize giveaways. Special thanks to the Clairton Municipal
Authority for hosting this September WPWPCA plant tour.
On
October 9th the WPWPCA is offering Process Control Strategies and
Typical Operational Parameters (Activated Sludge) Training (DEP Course #1435).
The primary purpose of this course is to provide an overview of activated
sludge process control strategies; typical operational problems encountered
during the process and the microbiology of the activated sludge process. Visit https://wpwpca.org for
more information.
Coming
up on October 16th the WPWPCA will hold its Plant Tour and Awards
Luncheon hosted by the Township of Hampton - Allison Park Water Pollution
Control Plant. The Township of Hampton completed expansion of the Allison Park
WPCP in late-2025. Phase I generally included construction of the main pump
station, headworks, sequencing batch reactors and UV disinfection; with all
sequencing dictated by the need for the existing plant to remain in
operation. Phase 2 was initiated once
the new processes were online, allowing for demolition or modification of all
existing structures and construction of aerobic digesters, dewatering facilities,
office / garage building and storage structure. The project expanded the
original plant capacity from 3.2 MGD and a peak of 10 MGD, to current capacity
of 3.9 MGD with the ability to handle peak flows up to 20.6 MGD.
Together, let us continue to lead with purpose, grow
our membership, and make a lasting impact on the future of water
quality in Western Pennsylvania.
Enjoy the Fall Season,
Scott Hinsch
President, Western Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association (2025–2026)
VP Engineering and Sales, DRV Inc.
