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Wastewater director reports ammonia noncompliance, equipment repairs, and upcoming bids
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Summary
The Goose Creek wastewater plant was briefly out of compliance for ammonia in February; staff reseeded tanks using mixed liquor from a neighboring plant, notified DEP, and reported equipment repairs and upcoming bids for treatment chemicals and capital work.
Sean Mitchell, the borough’s wastewater director, told the Public Works Committee that Goose Creek's wastewater treatment plant experienced an ammonia noncompliance for eight days in February largely attributed to winter weather and a partial tank shutdown.
"We had eight days out of compliance for ammonia," Mitchell said, and described emergency measures: purchasing dehydrated microbes and importing mixed liquor from Concord Township to "reseed" the biological system. "We were so behind that we actually contacted Concord Township, and had trucks of their mixed liquor brought up...for 48 to 60,000 gallons," he said. After those steps the plant returned to compliance and PADEP was notified and accepted the reports.
Mitchell also described an emergency repair to a medium-voltage switch and an earlier 2020 transformer that showed corrosion; he authorized an immediate repair estimated between $4,000 and $5,000 to avoid a potential catastrophic failure. He said the medium-voltage switch delivery had a minor defect that the contractor will repair quickly.
On capital projects, Mitchell said Maple Alley phase 1 bids are out; a water-quality permit has been submitted to DEP with a nonmandatory bid meeting March 17 and a tentative April award. He also said backup pumps for several pump stations have been ordered with delivery expected in June–July.
Mitchell said he will have procurement open for treatment chemical bids (soda ash and aluminum hydroxide sulfate) at a work session; he noted some bid openings were delayed because of advertising restrictions. No formal capital award was made at the meeting; staff outlined next procurement and construction steps.
