The University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) owns and operates the Spring Creek Pollution Control Facility, which treats wastewater flows from the Centre Region prior to discharge to Spring Creek. The facility provides advanced treatment with enhanced nutrient removal and is rated for an annual average flow of 10.56 mgd.

As part of a beneficial water reuse initiative, UAJA added an Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) system to divert 1 mgd of treated effluent from Spring Creek for community reuse through a dedicated distribution system. Operational since 2005, the program has delivered millions of gallons of potable-quality reclaimed water to businesses and environmental enhancement efforts throughout the Centre Region. Located within the Spring Creek Pollution Control Facility, the AWT facility was upgraded in 2019 to support indirect potable reuse and meet year-round water reuse demands.

RETTEW evaluated existing treatment processes, analyzed alternatives, prepared the Basis of Design, and completed the design and permitting for the upgrade. The project doubled the AWT facility’s capacity from 1 mgd to 2 mgd through construction of a 500,000-gallon equalization tank, a new pump station, two additional microfilters, and a second reverse osmosis (RO) unit. RETTEW also designed upgrades to the backwash and clean-in-place systems to support the expanded microfiltration and RO processes. As Owner’s Engineer, RETTEW administered construction contracts and continues to provide operational support as needed.