Environmental Groups Plan Suit Against Tredyffrin Over Sewage Spills

PennEnvironment and the Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited announced Wednesday that they have sent a formal notice of intent to sue Tredyffrin Township and the Tredyffrin Township Municipal Authority for alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act.

“Tredyffrin’s sewer pipeline is more than 40 years old and runs through Valley Forge Park, along Valley Creek,” a press releasefrom PennEnvironment says. “In the past two years, this pipeline has ruptured on three separate occasions, releasing millions of gallons of sewage directly into Valley Creek.”

In a September 29, 2014 letter to Tredyffrin Township and the Municipal Authority, which own and operate the pipeline, the groups stated that each spill violates Section 301(a) of the federal Clean Water Act because no permit authorizes sewage to be discharged into Valley Creek. Because the underlying causes of these sewage spills have not been resolved and since there is no alternative emergency plan in place, the groups said they intend to file suit within 60 days to protect the stream from future pipeline breaks.

“Valley Forge holds an important place in America’s history, and we cannot sit by while this national treasure faces the constant threat of illegal water pollution,” stated PennEnvironment Director David Masur. “It is simply unacceptable that there is no plan in place to prevent future spills, and no timeline for replacing this dangerous, crumbling pipeline.”

Tredyffrin Township Manager William Martin responded with a letter to residents posted on the township website, saying that there has been action performed on the spillage problems. In March of this year, Tredyffrin engaged an outside engineering firm to perform an evaluation and provide recommendations on alternatives to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the VCTS in the future. The engineer’s initial report was submitted last month and is being presented the Board of Supervisors in late October.

“The Township is disappointed by the timing of NELC’s letter and confused by what motivated it, as both complainants are aware of the substantial progress the Township has made since the breaks occurred,” the letter reads. “The Township has commenced a thorough evaluation of its alternatives for a more permanent remedy to the problem.”

The pipeline in question ruptured in March 2012, February 2014, and March 2014. While repairs have been made to the ruptured sections of the pipe, the environmental groups believe that more breaks and Clean Water Act violations will continue due to the age and poor quality of the pipeline. They point to the fact that this type of pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe has been the subject of study by the U.S. EPA because of the hundreds of dramatic failures that have occurred over the course of its use.

The 30-inch pressurized pipeline is known as the “Valley Creek Trunk Sewer Force Main,” and was built in the 1970s. This pipeline carries raw sewage generated by six upstream municipalities (Tredyffrin, Easttown, East Whiteland, Malvern Borough, Willistown Township, and Valley Forge) from the Wilson Road Pump Station to the Valley Forge Sewer Authority’s wastewater treatment plant in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. For nearly two miles, the pipeline runs along Valley Creek and through Valley Forge National Historical Park. The park sits about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia and is a popular recreation destination for residents in the area, as well as visitors from across the country and around the globe.