Pennsylvania American Water to upgrade wastewater treatment plant with $2.75 million UV disinfection system

Pennsylvania American Water announced the start of an ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection system upgrade at its Royersford Wastewater Treatment Plant in Montgomery County. Work on the $2.75 million project started in March and is on track to be completed by next month.

“In the past, chlorine was the most common method for killing harmful microorganisms in wastewater. However, advancements in UV light disinfection have made it a preferred alternative,” said Michael Evenson, engineering project manager for Pennsylvania American Water, in a press release.

The company’s upgrade project involves installing two Trojan UV Signa units in the plant’s existing chlorine contact tank, which has been repurposed to accommodate the new equipment. Additionally, a temporary disinfection and dichlorination system has been constructed on-site to meet discharge requirements during the installation process.

“The new disinfection system in Royersford will meet the strictest requirements regarding bacteria and virus protection, including pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which water treatment alternatives such as chlorine are unable to treat,” Emerson said in a press release.

The UV light disinfection system is expected to improve the plant’s performance and provide a sustainable, reliable method for treating wastewater in the Royersford community. This system has several advantages, including a low carbon footprint, chemical-free disinfection without added by-products, no alterations in water properties like pH and temperature and increased cost-effectiveness.

Pennsylvania American Water’s Royersford wastewater system serves approximately 1,500 customers in Royersford Borough and parts of Limerick and Upper Providence townships in Montgomery County.