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Wastewater Treatment

About the Facility

The Indiana Borough Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTP) was originally constructed in 1973 and has undergone several major upgrades to meet the growing needs of our community. The most recent improvement project includes a multi-phase modernization effort to enhance reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.

Today, the facility treats an average of more than 8 million gallons of wastewater per day, serving over 70 miles of collection system throughout Indiana Borough, White Township, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), and the Morganti Development.

As a Class A (Major) Facility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our plant operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued and monitored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring all treated water meets strict environmental standards before being discharged to local waterways.

We are proud that our ratepayers continue to benefit from reliable service at some of the lowest rates in the state.​

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Accredited Laboratory & Professional Staff

The WWTP operates a state-accredited laboratory, allowing staff to conduct daily and weekly testing onsite and submit monthly electronic discharge monitoring reports (EDMR) to the DEP.

Our team includes:

  • 1 Superintendent

  • 1 Assistant Superintendent

  • 1 Laboratory Supervisor

  • 2 Operators

  • 5 Operators-in-Training

All senior operational staff hold Class A wastewater licenses, requiring extensive training and 30 hours of continuing education every three years.

The plant operates 24/7 to ensure treated water is safely returned to the stream system and our community’s wastewater is managed responsibly.​

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Wastewater Programs

Industrial Pretreatment Program

Wastewater treatment plants are designed to treat domestic wastewater. Industrial wastewater, however, may contain concentrated pollutants that can damage infrastructure, disrupt treatment processes, or harm the environment if not properly controlled.

Through the federally mandated National Pretreatment Program, Indiana Borough works closely with Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) to regulate pollutants at their source.

Local partners include:

  • Specialty Tires of America

  • Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co.

  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania Cogeneration Facility

The Pretreatment Program:

  • Protects over 70 miles of sewer infrastructure

  • Safeguards local waterways including Stoney Run and Two Lick Creek

  • Helps prevent costly plant upsets

  • Supports stable utility rates

By controlling pollutants before they enter the sewer system, we protect both public infrastructure and the environment.

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Wastewater Surveillance Program

Since April 2020, Indiana Borough has been at the forefront of wastewater-based epidemiology, partnering with Biobot Analytics to monitor SARS-CoV-2 levels in community wastewater, and providing an early warning system for COVID-19 trends.

In collaboration with faculty and students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the Borough has:

  • Developed data modeling tools capable of forecasting case trends

  • Shared data with state and federal public health agencies

  • Participated in a national pilot program with the Water Environment Federation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Evaluated rapid PCR testing technology capable of detecting COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV directly from wastewater samples

This program bridges municipal infrastructure and public health, bringing research opportunities to our region while providing health insights to the community.

WWTP Improvement Project (2025–2026)

Indiana Borough recently completed Phase 1 of a two-phase plant upgrade designed to modernize critical infrastructure originally installed in 1973.

Phase 1 Improvements Included:

  • Complete rehabilitation of two original primary tanks

  • Upgrades to one final settling tank

  • Replacement of four 30-year-old waste pumps and associated piping

  • Modernization of the plant’s SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system

Phase 2 (Beginning Late Spring/Early Summer):

  • Full headworks upgrade

  • Rebuilding grit collection equipment

  • Replacing four grinders with two mechanical bar screens

  • Construction of a protective pavilion over headworks equipment to improve safety and working conditions

These investments strengthen system reliability, improve worker safety, and help ensure long-term regulatory compliance.

WWTP FAQ

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