Lewisburg authority switching waste disinfection method to ultraviolet light
Oct. 16—LEWISBURG — The Lewisburg Area Joint Sewer Authority intends to change its disinfection process from chlorine gas to ultraviolet light, a move that it says would be safer for both people and the environment.
The estimated $1.4 million project must start with an Act 537 sewage facilities plan special study, as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection for any township, borough, municipality or wastewater treatment plant that intends to upgrade its process or expand collection systems. The plant is located at 697 River Road, Lewisburg.
"We currently use chlorine gas which is delivered to us in one-ton cylinders and has the potential to cause bodily harm to our employees and the general public, if there is a leak," Authority Manager Todd Oberdorf said. "At this time, we are currently going through the proper channels and applying for grants, but yes in the near future we hope to switch over to ultraviolet disinfection."
The authority services all of the Borough of Lewisburg and portions of Buffalo and East Buffalo townships. They have approximately 48 miles of main sewer line.
The study is estimated to cost between $15,000 and $25,000. The goal is to seek grant funding for the project.
"The biggest benefit of our study and project will be a safer way to disinfect our effluent and do our part to protect the Susquehanna River, fish and wildlife, and those who enjoy using the river for recreation," Oberdorf said.
The Borough of Lewisburg, East Buffalo Township and Buffalo Township will not have any financial responsibilities for the project, he said.
"The UV project has been discussed on and off for the last four years," Oberdorf said. "Since LAJSA's Board has been very diligent in trying to set a little money back each year, I don't anticipate any increases (for customers) for the project itself. The board at LAJSA has been very proactive in taking very small increases over the years in order to keep on top of inflation and to try to save money for projects like this. Typically, our average annual increase to our residential customers is about $5 per quarter."
The Act 537 Study needs to be completed and approved by DEP. The engineering for the project needs to be completed and funding needs to be found, he said.
"In the past, we have applied for two other grants and they were both awarded to other candidates," he said. "Our hope this time around, when grants become available to apply, is that the right people see it and realize exactly how close we sit to Bucknell University and downtown Lewisburg."
The study should be completed by the end of the year and the project is expected to move forward by next year or early 2026, Oberdorf said.
Both the East Buffalo Township Board of Supervisors and Lewisburg Borough Council voted this week to support the study.
