York City Sewer Authority

The Challenge
The York City Sewer Authority (Authority) was planning an extensive rehabilitation to its existing wastewater treatment plant along with improvements to its conveyance system. The upgrades were required to satisfy the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency’s and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Chesapeake Bay Tributary strategy to significantly reduce total nitrogen and total phosphorous discharges from its wastewater treatment facilities. The Authority also evaluated the need for replacement of an existing internal combustion generator that converts methane, a by-product of the waste treatment process, into electricity for operating the plant.  The evaluation revealed that a microturbine cogeneration system could provide a more effective solution for the plant’s operations. The planned improvements would make the treatment plant and conveyance system more efficient, thereby reducing environmental impacts and decreasing operating costs.  In order to implement the planned rehabilitation project, the Authority needed to secure a significant amount of capital.

The Solution
Delta reviewed the Authority’s planned capital improvements and funding needs in order to develop an effective strategy for securing federal and state funding.  Delta evaluated potential funding programs at both the federal and state levels.  Once targeted funding sources were identified, Delta assisted the Authority in coordinating support from local leaders and state representatives, including State Senator Mike Waugh, U.S. Congressman Todd Platts, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.  Delta developed and organized extensive documentation to support funding requests from several different sources of funding, and responded to information requests from the respective administrative agencies.

The Result
Delta was able to secure more than $4.2 million in funding to support the Authority’s plant rehabilitation and conveyance system improvements. Sources of funding included the following: $2 million in two separate awards through H2O PA, $1.5 million from the Alternative and Clean Energy program,$500,000 from DEP’s GreenWorks program, and $275,000 from the Federal State and Tribal Assistance Grant program.  The funding allowed the projects to move forward as scheduled and reduced the impact of financing the improvements by the Authority’s ratepayers. The projects supported with the funding will significantly reduce environmental impacts from the plant’s operations, as well as make plant operations more efficient.