The Northwestern Chester County Municipal Authority (NCCMA) owns, operates, and maintains the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that serves the communities of Honey Brook Township and the Borough of Honey Brook. The NCCMA WWTP is a .60 million gallons per day (MGD) aerated lagoon system originally constructed in 1976. As a result, much of the equipment had reached its useful life. NCCMA was also experiencing permit noncompliance due to effluent ammonia concentrations exceeding allowable limits, posing risks to water quality in the plant’s receiving stream, the West Branch Brandywine Creek which connects to the Delaware River Basin.
Our team assisted NCCMA with aeration and nitrification upgrades to preserve the lagoon configuration, aligning with the Authority’s desire to retain its lagoon-based treatment approach. To enhance oxygen transfer efficiency and support aerobic bacteria, we designed the installation of 33 fine bubble diffuser aerators throughout the lagoon system. The diffusers are modular, allowing operators to establish different treatment zones as conditions change, creating a more controlled and efficient environment. To achieve ammonia removal, HRG incorporated an aerated moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) tank that promotes microorganism growth. Based on process evaluations, HRG selected Triplepoint’s lagoon-specific technologies, which included integrated heating systems within the MBBR tank. These heaters help maintain optimal microbial activity during winter months, addressing one of NCCMA’s most persistent treatment challenges.
As part of our process of soliciting operator feedback and meeting their needs, our team traveled to similar size plants with the same Triplepoint technology implemented, one in Tennessee and one in Missouri. These site visits allowed the team to observe the equipment in full operation and ensure operator functionality with ease. HRG also assisted NCCMA in securing approximately $12.6M in PENNVEST funding to support project implementation and provide reliable sewer services to the community and promote growth and future expansion in the area.
