14/07/2026
How do you modernize a wastewater treatment plant without abandoning the lagoon system that has served the community for decades?
The Northwestern Chester County Municipal Authority’s 0.60 MGD aerated lagoon system was originally constructed in 1976. As equipment reached the end of its useful life, the plant was also experiencing ammonia permit exceedances that could affect the West Branch Brandywine Creek.
Rather than replace the lagoon process, the Authority and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. developed an upgrade that preserves the existing treatment configuration while improving aeration, nitrification, and operator control.
The project includes:
• 33 modular fine-bubble aerators installed throughout the lagoon system
• Flexible treatment zones that operators can adjust as conditions change
• Triplepoint lagoon-specific MBBR technology for ammonia removal
• Integrated heating to support nitrification during cold Pennsylvania winters
Before selecting the technology, the project team visited Triplepoint installations in Tennessee and Missouri to see the systems operating and gather feedback directly from plant operators.
This project is a great example of how existing lagoons can be rehabilitated to meet modern treatment requirements while preserving the simplicity and value of lagoon-based treatment.
Read the full project profile from HRG:
https://hrg-inc.com/portfolio-item/aeration-nitrification-improvements-for-lagoon-treatment-system/
