Home - Center Township Sanitary Authority

Elkhorn Run Treatment Plant and Laboratory

The plant is located along Elkhorn Run Creek in the Van Kirk section of Center Township. It provides wastewater treatment services to all of Center Township, along with a small portion of Monaca. Currently, the plant processes an annual average flow of 1.3 million gallons of wastewater per day. The plant operates under NPDES Permit No. PA0037940.

The process used for the treatment of wastewater at the plant is called Activated Sludge. Activated Sludge is a biological wastewater treatment process which speeds up the decomposition of wastes in wastewater being treated. Activated Sludge is added to waste-water and the mixture (mixed liquor) is aerated and agitated. After some time in the aeration tank, the Activated Sludge is
allowed to settle out by sedimentation and is disposed as needed. The remaining wastewater then undergoes more treatment.

Wastewater is collected from homes and businesses which then flows to the plant. The plant utilizes physical and biological processes (above) to remove the harmful pollution from the wastewater. After treatment, the treated water is released into the Ohio River. Learn more about The History of the Center Township Sanitary Authority and The Elkhorn Run Treatment Plant Process. In 2007 the Plant Laboratory received a Certificate of Accreditation to operate as a Pennsylvania Accredited Laboratory. The certification is designed by the PADEP and requires the laboratory to be audited for quality control in use of appropriate chemicals leading to accurate results in the testing of discharged wastewater.

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Sewer Problems

Emergency?

If you encounter any type of sanitary sewer issues
please feel free to contact our office for questions or
on-site assistance.

Call: 724-774-0326

Questions?

If you have any general questions, comments, or concerns please
submit an inquiry and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

PREVENT LOSS
FROM BACKUP

Homeowners are susceptible to wastewater backups in their homes due to blocked manhole conditions. In nearly ALL cases, because of the municipal tort law, the Center Township Sanitary Authority’s Insurance Company nor the customers home owner’s insurance pay for damages caused by these backups.

It is suggested that the customer add a rider to their homeowner’s policy that will provide coverage for this backup damage.

Manholes On Your Property

Manhole covers require free and clear access.Manhole covers provide the provide the underground utility operator with access to their facilities for inspection,repair,maintenance, and the like. The CTSA which owns and operates, by landscaping, earthen fill, paved driveways, or similar acts. This makes it very difficult for us to provide the required level of service expected by our customers and the regulatory agencies. This includes the emergency clearing of a blockage in the sewer line, which may other wise lead to a sewage backup into a basement of sewage onto the ground.

Do no block the manholes! The Sanitary Authority requires free and clear access to its manholes in case of emergency. Covering or placing decorative planters on top of manholes makes them difficult to locate in adverse conditions.

Collections Program

The Sewer Collections Program is primarily responsible for maintaining an estimated 15 square miles of sanitary sewer system and approximately 4,642 residential and commercial sewer lateral connections. The program covers, upkeep and maintenance of ten lift stations, execution of the CTSA FOG Plan, Root cutting, manhole inspection & rehabilitation, Inflow & Infiltration control, spot repairs, inspection of all new sewer installations and cleaning (Jetting) of larger trunk lines. Employees involved in this activity provide information by televising and benchmarking the overall condition of the sewer system infrastructure. The information is used to establish maintenance requirements, the need for repairs and development of Capital Improvement Projects.

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