Project Description
In conjunction with delivering on our commitment to providing cost-effective, safe water and environmentally sound wastewater services, for the past few years, the authority has been executing a significant project designed to rehabilitate the existing sanitary sewer line infrastructure in areas of high water infiltration.
These efforts are part of a broader Connection Management Plan with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to address significant Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) concerns. I&I occurs when stormwater enters sewer pipes. By implementing an I&I abatement program, the authority is committed to reducing extraneous storm water in its sanitary sewer collection system, which helps alleviate hydraulic conditions—how the wastewater moves through the pipes and how efficiently it can be transported to the treatment plant—during wet weather events and lowers sewage disposal and treatment costs.
Latest Updates
In February 2025, NBCMA was awarded a $9.4 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). This will allow the next phase of the project to continue.
NBCMA’s team has identified key areas for the sanitary sewer pipe rehabilitation project based on previous Corrective Action Plan (CAP) reports. The sanitary sewer service area has been divided into sub-basins, each monitored with meters to detect high flows. The proposed repairs to sewer mains and laterals will not disturb previously undisturbed land, wetlands, or floodplains, and will remain within public rights-of-way and authority-maintained easements.
The project area IW-3 is located along East and West Windrose Drive, Creek Road, Hickory Drive, West Buttonwood Road, Dogwood Drive, Willow Road, Laurel Road and easements between the surrounding neighborhood streets. The project includes 6,987 LF of 8” sewer main and 90 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. The project area is part of the Ironworks Creek Interceptor and there are approximately 4,000 EDUs that are served by the interceptor up to downstream meter 159. There have been multiple sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) along the interceptor line during and after rain events along the upper portion of the interceptor. At meter 159 the average daily flow is 1.8 mgd, and peak wet weather flows of approximately 3.2 mgd. The expected flow for this meter is approximately 1 mgd.
The project area IW-4 is located along Virgina Drive, Hampton Drive, Post Road, Leemar Drive, W Norton Drive, Jennifer Lane, Stella Drive, North Kitty Knight Drive, Great Oak Drive, Woodland Drive, Willowgreene Drive, and North 2nd Street Pike. The project includes 8,381 LF of 8” sewer main, 1,010 LF of 12” sewer main and 118 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. The project area is a branch of the Ironworks Creek Interceptor, with approximated 500 EDUs that serve this branch that leads into the interceptor. The beginning of the project area on Virginia Drive is where the Woods Pump Station forcemain discharges into the 8” gravity sewer main. The wet weather flows and flows after significant rain events in the project area exceed the flow based metrics for compliance with their CAP.
The project area IW-4A is located along Wheatsheaf Road, Grasshopper Drive, Pulinski Road, Foxcroft Drive, Golfview Drive, and various easements around the surrounding neighborhood. The project includes, 2,154 LF of 8” sewer main and 69 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. The project area is a branch of the Ironworks Creek Interceptor and are served by the Woods Pump Station. There are 259 EDUs that are served by the Woods Pump Station. The pump station was upgraded in 2015 with 2 pumps with a capacity of 600 gpm. The pump station has a 8” force main that discharges into an 8” gravity sewer on Virginia Drive at MH NH-48-9. During and after significant rain events both pumps are required to run which is a violation.
The project area IW-5 is located on Pond View Drive and Whitney Lane. The project includes the proposed lining of 12 laterals and 321 LF of 8” Gravity sewer. There are approximately 545 EDUs that are served by the 8” Ironworks Creek Branch Sewer E. The wet weather flows and flows after significant rain events in this basin exceed the flow base metrics for compliance with their CAP.
The project area IW-7 is located along Auburn Drive. The project includes the proposed lining of 5 laterals and 200 LF of 8” Gravity sewer. There are approximately 452 EDUs served by an 8” sewer main from the Temperance Lane branch that is served by the Ironworks Creek Interceptor. The wet weather flows and flows after significant rain events in this basin exceed the flow based metrics for compliance with their CAP.
The project area IW-8 is located along Auckland Drive, Manor Drive, Center Street, Sunset Drive, Harmony Drive, and a easement between Manor Drive and Sunset Drive. The project includes 5,075 LF of 8” sewer main and 56 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. The project area is a branch of the Ironworks Creek Interceptor that serves approximately 300 EDUs that are served by an 8” sewer main along Manor Drive. The wet weather flows and flows after significant rain events in this basin exceed the flow based metrics for compliance with their CAP.
The project area IW-9 is located along Matthew Circle, Emily Drive, and Erin Drive. The project includes 2,363 LF of 8” sewer main and 41 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. Area IW-9 contains flows that are served by the Highspire pump station. This pump station serves a total of 237 EDUs and has two (2) pumps with a capacity of 250 GPM. The pump station leads into a 6” force main and flows into an 8” gravity sewer on Worthington Mill Road. On multiple occasions it can be seen that both pumps are required to run during and after significant rain events. Every time that both pumps are running at the same time is a violation.
The project area MC-2 is located along Churchville Lane, Lakeside Drive, Sugartree Road, Broadview Road, and easements between the surrounding neighborhood streets. The project includes 4,207 LF of 8” sewer main and 50 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. There are approximately 116 EDUs that are served by a 10” sewer main from the Reservoir East Trunk sewer line that flows into the Mill Creek Interceptor. The wet weather flows and flows after significant rain events in this basin exceed the flow based metrics for compliance with their CAP.
The project area PR-1 is located along Briarwood Drive, Tanglebrook Drive, Ponderosa Drive, Savage Drive, Woodenbridge Road, East Rambler Drive, Mallard Drive and easements between the surrounding neighborhood streets. The project includes 3,895 LF of 8” sewer main and 65 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. Area PR-1 contains flows within the Neshaminy Interceptor. All proposed sewer mains are located within an easement area or the public roadway. During and after rain events there are significant increases in flows that exceed the flow-based metrics for compliance with their CAP. In 2024, the average flow was 0.854 mgd at meter 1192, but during the peak wet weather events there were flows of approximately 3.822 mgd. Expected flows for the basin are approximately 0.567 mgd.
The project area USMA is located along Fairhill Drive, Charlotte Drive, Windsor Drive, Stratford Drive, Sherwood Drive, Green Drive, Hilltop Drive, Valley Drive, Bristol Road, and easements between the surrounding neighborhood streets. The project includes 14,185 LF of 8’ sewer main and 223 laterals (6”) proposed to be lined. The USMA area contains flows that are directed into the Upper Southampton Municipal Authority sewer system. During and after rainfall events there are significant increases in base flows that exceed the flow-based metrics for compliance with their CAP. This area also experiences SSO’s and road closers after significant weather events.
The Process
We will be using a process called Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) to repair the sewer lines, which is a more practical and cost-effective option that allows us to avoid complete sanitary sewer line replacement. This method offers structural restoration for the pipes without having to dig into the current pipeline.
Available for more than 50 years now, CIPP lining implementation is the most widely used method of trenchless rehabilitation and restoration worldwide for the repair of existing pipes; it leverages a textile liner tube and a liquid resin to accomplish its goals.
The CIPP liner is installed in the existing pipe by a process called “pull in place,” during which it is pulled through the pipes in need of attention (manhole to manhole). Once correctly aligned within the existing pipeline, either heat or UV rays are utilized to cure the resin and form a rigid pipe.
There are numerous advantages to this technology.
- Faster and More Efficient. The CIPP repair method takes much less time than replacing the pipes.
- Less Disruptive. Since this is a trenchless method, the overall disruption to your daily life is minimal during the process, and requires less rehabilitation to the site than does open-cut construction.
- More Cost-Effective. The very fact that there is no excavation needed makes it more cost-effective, less time-consuming, and more environmentally friendly. There is no waste to dispose of, as pipes can be repaired underground with no damage to any buildings, concrete or landscaping.
- Safer. Since CIPP repair is done completely underground, without excavation or large-scale pipe digging, making this upgrade to the infrastructure does not pose the same risks associated with traditional pipe repairs.
The Savings
The sanitary sewer flows from this Authority to the Philadelphia Water Department. We pay for each gallon of water treated, so by reducing the flow of water, we will thereby reduce overall costs. To put this into perspective, during peak months, our monthly fees can approach $1,000,000. If we can reduce the total flow, we are able to save money that can be utilized for future projects that will improve our infrastructure and preserve the environment.
