WAYNESBORO, Pa. — With the Route 16 water main replacement job completed, Washington Township Municipal Authority (WTMA) officials have two more projects in the works.
“We are replacing our backup generator at the wastewater treatment plant on Lyons Road, and have planned a pumping station modernization and rehabilitation project for the Cold Springs Pump Station at the intersection of Marsh and Cold Springs roads,” according to Andy Ziegler, managing director of WTMA
About Route 16 project
“Over the years, WTMA has repaired numerous leaks on this (Route 16) line and/or services connected to it,” Ziegler noted.
E.K. Services Inc., New Cumberland, was awarded the water main replacement job as low bidder at just over $802,000, he added. “It was paid for in-house with money set aside for capital improvements.
“We replaced the 2-inch water main from the office of R. Lee Royer & Associates, 10764 Buchanan Trail East, to the property corner of the former Mountain Gate Restaurant, 10530 Buchanan Trail East,” Ziegler said.
The project began July 27 with test pits to locate some utilities, he added, and the next day the existing main was cut and capped at one end and pipe laying began. “The start of school extended the timeframe as E.K. Services was limited to work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. due to the school bus schedule. All milling and paving was completed Oct. 31.”
Upcoming projects
Washington Township is replacing the backup generator at the wastewater treatment plant on Lyons Road. “The current generator does not consistently run, and due to its age, replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find. This project is in the design/permitting stage with our engineers and PA DEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection),” Ziegler noted. The project will be funded by money set aside for capital improvements and there will be no traffic disruptions, he added.
WTMA was awarded a $100,000 PA Small Water and Sewer Program Grant Jan. 20 to fund the pumping station modernization and rehabilitation project for the Cold Springs Pump Station. The project has not gone to the bidding process yet, and along with the grant, WTMA will pay for it with money set aside for capital improvements, according to Ziegler.
“Again, the age of the station makes obtaining replacement parts difficult,” he said. The project will begin with the demolition and removal of existing infrastructure. This includes the decommissioning and removal of two submersible pumps located approximately 18 feet below ground level, the existing control panel and all associated electrical components, and the valve vault components and related piping. All removed materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations, Ziegler added.
Following demolition, a new packaged pump station will be procured and installed. The modern station will feature a prefabricated fiberglass walk-in enclosure housing two 40-horsepower self-priming, dual-stage centrifugal pumps capable of handling wastewater with solids.
The new pumps will significantly enhance system reliability, eliminate the need for manual priming, and mitigate the risk of cavitation, Ziegler said. “Importantly, the pumps will be placed above ground, eliminating confined space entry hazards and improving accessibility for maintenance. Integrated piping and valves will also be housed within the enclosure, creating a more efficient and streamlined system.”
To support the new pump station, a new control panel will be installed, designed to be compatible with the upgraded pump motors and to enable consistent, automated operation. The project also includes substantial electrical upgrades, such as improved wiring, conduit, and circuit protection, along with the integration of system alarms and controls to allow for remote monitoring and faster response times in the event of equipment failure.
A 125-kilowatt emergency generator will be installed with an automatic transfer switch to ensure continued operation during power outages. The generator will be sized to fully support both new 40 horsepower pump motors and will be housed in a weatherproof enclosure to protect it from environmental elements and ensure long-term functionality.
The project includes all necessary site work and final restoration, Ziegler said. “This will involve grading and preparing the site to accommodate the new station layout, pouring a concrete foundation pad for the enclosure and generator, installing a protective cover over the new control panel, and completing final grading and seeding. These efforts will return the project area to its original or improved condition while supporting the safe and efficient operation of the new pumping station.”
