Oakmont residents can expect a change in their water treatment over the next few years. In 2021, borough officials began a project to improve and modernize the wastewater treatment plant on Ann Street.

“With the recent improvements and upgrades to the Plum Creek Interceptor and renovation to the Plum Creek Pump Station set to begin in a few weeks, we can focus our attention on the treatment plant and sewer lines throughout the borough,” said Scot Fodi, borough manager.

Planned work includes incorporating ultraviolet disinfection, adding a new clarifier, a new blower building, a new plant centrifuge and a second equalization tank. Ultraviolet disinfection would replace the existing chlorine contact disinfection system. It requires less time to treat and release effluent within the system allowing more raw sewage to be processed per day.

The new clarifier will replace the two original clarifiers in the plant. Each one is 30 feet in diameter, and 8 feet deep. The new one will be almost double the size, 60-foot diameter, and 14-feet deep. Downsizing to one clarifier will increase clarification efficiency, and is predicted to increase the gallons per day of wastewater treated and discharged by 85%.

The existing plant blowers, machines used to create airflow on command, have been in the water treatment plant since 1989. Borough officials said the blowers are inefficient compared to today’s technology.

A new blower system will have the ability to monitor how much air is being injected into the Activated Sludge System. This will enable the borough to meet its ammonia limits and lower energy costs at the treatment plant.

New centrifuges would mean less odor from the plant emanating into the town and affecting the plant’s immediate surroundings. The existing centrifuge was installed in 1989, and the borough purchased a second, used one about 10 years ago.

An equalization tank collects excess flow in the sewers that build up during a severe rain event and stores the excess, so sewage does not overwhelm the plant.

The original equalization tank was installed during the 2008 expansion, holding 272,000 gallons. After a capacity expansion, it was able to hold 412,000 gallons. With the plan calling for a second tank, the storage would be doubled at 812,000 gallons.

This work is able to be completed after the borough was awarded two grants through the offices of State Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, and State Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Penn Hills. The combined $1.9 million in grants will help continue with planned improvements at the borough’s wastewater treatment plant on Ann Street and continued maintenance to the existing sanitary sewer system throughout the borough.

“These two awards, partnered with the $16 million bond issued in late 2021, will help us keep on track to complete the proposed treatment plant improvements,” Fodi said.

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