Wastewater Treatment

Since 1925, the Borough has operated the wastewater plant with a tradition of quality treatment. This level of service continues to be maintained as judged by today’s stringent standards.

The Elizabethtown Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) receives wastewater collected from the Borough of Elizabethtown and the Elizabethtown Regional Sewer Authority (portions of Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township). The plant provides secondary treatment with phosphorus removal through the use of trickling filters and clariflocculators. The permitted flow is 3.0 million gallons per day. Currently, flow averages approximately 2.15 million gallons per day, seven days a week.

The current wastewater treatment plant uses oxidation ditches to achieve biological nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus). The design is capable of treating 4.5 million gallons per day.

Reducing Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) - The wastewater treatment plant personnel work to identify and reduce I&I entering the sanitary sewer collection system. Infiltration is groundwater leaking through cracks in sewer mains or manholes, and Inflow is groundwater, or rainfall, that flows directly into the collection system. Its source is often from downspouts or sump pumps connected directly to a sewer lateral emptying into the system, a practice that is prohibited by Borough Ordinance. Over the years the amount of I&I entering the collection system has been drastically reduced, but we need your help to continue making improvements. Please check discharge points from downspouts and sump pumps and remove any direct connections to sanitary sewer lateral lines. If you would like the Borough’s assistance in determining if your Inflow is discharging properly, call (717) 367-1585 to schedule an inspection.

What Not to Flush - The Boroughs’ Wastewater Treatment Plant processes 1 to 2 million gallons of wastewater each day. While the majority of this conveyance is water with a small amount of organics, there are often items that cause back-ups in the collection system and prove detrimental to the process and equipment at the wastewater treatment plant. Please help us keep the system running efficiently and smoothly by taking care to correctly dispose of the following items rather than flushing them:

  • Medications including prescriptions, over the counter drugs,vitamins, illegal drugs, patches and hypodermic needles
  • Cloth cleaning rags, nylon stockings, underwear, shop towels, mop heads, and dental floss
  • Feminine hygiene products of all kinds
  • Plastic bags, plastic cotton swabs, disposable lighters, hotel shampoo bottles, plastic coffee stirrers and catheters
  • Chemical cleaning products, herbicides, insecticides, and solvents
  • Auto and industrial grease
  • Wipes of all kinds—baby, adult, disposable/flushable, personal hygiene, and cleaning
  • Cooking oil and grease, used or unused
  • Condoms and condom wrappers
  • Paper or cloth diapers, no matter how dirty

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Jeff Kinsey Public Works Director (717) 367-1700
Dennis Bair Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor (717) 367-1585
Dave Hershey Assistant Supervisor--Collection System
Lance Carter Plant Operator
Larry Heming Mechanic
Mike Rider Wastewater Operator
Dennis Hardman Wastewater Operator
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