DAMASCUS, PA — The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) renewed the Pine Grove Estates wastewater treatment plant permit.

The Pocono Waterworks Company operates the plant in Damascus Township, PA, which discharges to waters classified as Special Protection Waters. The application was submitted on December 21, 2022.

The PA Department of Environmental Protection issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for this discharge. The DRBC held a public hearing on the project on February 7.

Special Protection Waters are streams and rivers that meet specific chemistry standards for water quality and biological assessments.

The Pine Grove plant treats 0.021 million gallons per day using an extended aeration process with chlorine disinfection. Components include an aeration tank, clarifier, clear well, sand filtration units, sludge holding tank, chlorine contact tank, and dechlorination tank. It has a generator for standby power, and a remote alarm system that continuously monitors plant operations. Wasted sludge is hauled off-site for disposal.

The plant does not have an emergency management plan. Pocono Waterworks must prepare and implement a plan within 12 months of approval.