History of Walnutport Authority
Walnutport Authority has a long and rich history of providing top-notch water and sewer services to our community. Our journey began in the early 1920s with a severe outbreak of enteritis that sickened many people and caused several deaths. The Borough assumed control in 1934 with an issue of a bond for the purchase of the system. Throughout the 1930s to early 1980s, Walnutport Borough operated the water system but could no longer afford the expenses to maintain the system by 1980.
Takeover by Walnutport Authority
In June 1980, the Authority offered to assume the operation of the water system, and the Borough turned over the operation. The Borough also supplied the Authority with its chief water operator and $20,000 from the water collection account. By the fall of 1980, a severe drought struck eastern Pennsylvania, forcing the Authority to impose water restrictions. During this time, the Authority opened a $100,000 line of credit with a local bank, using the money to rehabilitate existing wells at Oplinger Reservoir.
Expansion and Improvement
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Authority replaced over 6 miles of aging cast-iron and asbestos cement water mains with ductile iron pipe. They also constructed a new well, a new one million-gallon enclosed reservoir that replaced the uncovered Oplinger Reservoir, and 7000 feet of transmission main funded by PennVest in 1991.
During the 1990s, the Walnutport Borough funded $1,500,000 in street reconstruction, requiring the Authority to replace several thousand feet of water main and service lines for $300,000. In 1999, a filtration plant for the removal of iron and manganese was added to Well #5, costing $400,000.
During the 1990s, the Walnutport Borough funded $1,500,000 in street reconstruction, requiring the Authority to replace several thousand feet of water main and service lines for $300,000. In 1999, a filtration plant for the removal of iron and manganese was added to Well #5, costing $400,000.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
In 2003, the Authority replaced the original 1903 water main on Main Street. They also completed the construction of a filtration plant at Heimbach Reservoir in 2014, increasing the amount of potable water available in the system. Furthermore, the Authority and Borough were awarded a grant for water main replacement and street reconstruction for Lehigh Street to begin sometime in the future.
The Walnutport Authority applied for a grant 18 months ago to improve the sewer pump station and has been awarded $75,000 towards the project. The Authority is committed to upgrading the facility ASAP and will continue to look for feasible ways to accomplish it. The pump station facility was built in 1973 and is located at Lehigh and Main Streets.