Pennsylvania American Water and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony and unveiled the name of a new water treatment plant in East Vincent Township that, in the future, will provide the water for its Royersford water system. The $123 million investment will include numerous treatment enhancements and critical infrastructure best practices.

“This significant company investment will allow us to continue providing clean, safe drinking water to the area, and we are thrilled to announce the upcoming construction of the new Lock 57 Water Treatment Plant be right here in East Vincent Township,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “Infrastructure projects like this new treatment facility allow us to continue delivering award-winning water quality and reliable water service to our customers. This project represents Pennsylvania American Water’s long-term strategic investment and commitment to system resilience, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.”

The existing Shady Lane Water Treatment Plant, which sits just a quarter mile away, was constructed in 1918 and has been expanded numerous times. Despite its age, Shady Lane has repeatedly received Directors Awards from the U.S. EPA’s Partnership for Safe Water, most recently receiving the 10-Year Directors Award earlier this year. This voluntary program includes meeting certain operational and performance criteria and providing water service that – in some cases – surpasses what it is required by federal and state drinking water standards.

As the facility neared the end of its useful life, due to site limitations at the existing plant, the company purchased a new greenfield site from the Commonwealth in 2019 for the construction of the new plant. The name “Lock 57” was chosen as the new plant’s name in honor of the historic lock on the former Schuylkill Canal, which still exists nearby.

“When you look around, you see everything that relies upon quality water, and that’s something we’re very proud that Pennsylvania American Water provides, not only to us, but to the surrounding communities,” said Bob Zienkowski, East Vincent Township Manager. “We are proceeding forward with this as a partnership to make this project a success, and it’s been a pleasure working with Pennsylvania American Water so far through the planning process. We also appreciate the volunteers that are here today from the historical commission for their help in keeping history alive.”

Construction on the new facility is set to begin before the year’s end and be completed in 2027. Until then, the Shady Lane Water Treatment Plant will continue to provide these critical services. Construction of the new plant will include:

• Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection system to provide another layer of protection against viruses and bacteria that could be present in surface water sources  
• Primary plate settlers for pretreatment
• Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters
• Lagoons for solids handling
• Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for disinfection
• Ammonia for chloramination
• Carbon feed for taste and odor control
• Corrosion control

Pennsylvania American Water’s Royersford water system overall provides drinking water and fire protection to nearly 50,000 people in East Coventry, East Pikeland, East Vincent, West Vincent, Spring City, Royersford, Upper Providence, Limerick, and Lower Pottsgrove. Lock 57 will have improved capacity to treat 6.6 million gallons of water per day, and like the current plant, will utilize the Schuylkill River as its source of supply.

Learn more at Pennsylvania American Water.

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