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Pennsylvania American Water has announced plans to build a new water treatment plant in Exeter Township, Berks County. The facility will serve approximately 25,000 customers in Exeter, Amity, Earl, and Ruscombmanor townships, as well as parts of St. Lawrence. The plant will draw water from the Schuylkill River, enhancing water supply reliability and quality.
The new plant will feature advanced treatment technologies to remove contaminants like PFAS, in compliance with recent regulations from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Initially, the plant will treat three million gallons of water per day, with the capacity to expand to six million gallons daily to meet future demands. Pennsylvania American Water Vice President of Engineering Tony Nokovich stated, "This project represents a major investment in the health, reliability, and quality of water for Exeter Township."
The design phase of the project is expected to continue through 2027, with construction beginning in 2028 and completion anticipated by 2030. The new plant will replace most of the 11 groundwater wells currently in use, which can be unreliable during droughts. The decision to build a centralized plant was made after determining that upgrading existing wells would be more costly.
According to Pennsylvania American Water, the plant will not only improve water quality but also ensure a more resilient water supply for the community. The company plans to provide ongoing updates on the project's progress.