About the Authority
Authority History
From eight founding municipalities in 1937 to a regional wastewater authority serving the entire lower Crum Creek Watershed.
Our History
Creation of the Authority
The Townships of Springfield, Ridley, and Nether Providence and the Boroughs of Morton, Swarthmore, Rutledge, Prospect Park, and Ridley Park created the Central Delaware County Authority.
The Authority, with the help of the Works Progress Administration, constructed trunk sewers and an effluent line to move the discharge of raw sewage that went into the Crum Creek, Little Crum Creek, and Stoney Creek to the Delaware River. The effluent line discharge point was located just south of the intersection of Darby Creek and the Delaware River, on the property of General Steel Casting.
Moving the wastewater discharge away from the public to a larger receiving water body protected the public health and the environment of the south central part of the county.
Effluent Line Extension
On September 20, 1938, the Municipalities and the Authority signed an agreement to extend the effluent line 984 feet south along the Delaware River. The move was to relocate the discharge below the water intake of General Steel Casting. In addition, the 1938 agreement turned over the responsibility to operate and maintain the trunk line sewers to the Authority.
Crum Creek Pump Station
Just a few months later, the Municipalities and the Authority signed an agreement to construct the Crum Creek Pump Station. This pump station and force main eliminated the overflows into the creek by transferring the flows from the Crum Creek Interceptor to the main effluent line.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
By an agreement dated October 22, 1951, the Authority constructed a wastewater treatment plant to reduce the pollutant loading to the Delaware River. A primary treatment plant, located on Sellers Ave. in Ridley Township, was constructed. The plant was designed to remove and treat solid particles from the flow. The treatment consisted of a series of grit removal channels and primary settling tanks. No biological treatment was provided. The settled sludge was treated in anaerobic digesters then dewatered on drying beds.
Marple Township Joins
The Township of Marple joined the Authority in 1960. This required that the trunk sewer line along the Crum Creek be extended into the Township. The line was constructed along Crum Creek, to the Delaware County Community College, and a branch was extended along Trout Run, terminating just south of Route 3 (West Chester Pike and Media Line Road).
DELCORA Agreement
On December 1, 1973, the Authority signed an agreement with the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA). This agreement provided for the regionalization of sewage treatment at Philadelphia's Southwest Treatment Plant. DELCORA purchased the Authority's Central Pump Station in Ridley Township. After some modifications, the flows from the nine municipalities were diverted to the Philadelphia plant. The Authority's own plant was decommissioned and the land sold.
Secondary Treatment Begins
The Philadelphia wastewater treatment plant was designed to provide secondary treatment. Secondary treatment added a biological process that the Authority's plant lacked. Consequently, the quality of the water discharged to the Delaware River improved to meet the requirements of the newly enacted Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Service Expansion Begins
Starting in 2001, negotiations with the Townships of Upper Providence and Newtown were initiated for the purpose of providing service to portions of those communities.
Newtown Township — 2003
A service agreement was signed with Newtown Township to accept up to 250,000 gallons per day from new developments being built.
Upper Providence — 2004
An agreement to accept up to 17,000 gallons per day from Upper Providence was signed. This agreement provides service to the homes along Farnum Road that are experiencing failing septic tanks.
Central Delaware Pump Station Upgrade — 2003
Flows from CDCA pass through the Central Delaware Pump Station. This facility is owned and operated by DELCORA. The pump station was modified in 2003. It now has the added capability to send CDCA's flows to the Western Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, owned by DELCORA, as well as to the Philadelphia Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant.
Edgmont, Newtown & Upper Providence Join as Members
Effective March 2009, the Authority welcomed the Townships of Edgmont, Newtown, and Upper Providence as authority members. With their membership, the Authority will provide service to the entire lower Crum Creek Watershed.