Local Municipality Fined Over Valley Forge Sewer Ruptures

Tredyffrin Township this week was fined in connection to multiple sewer ruptures in Valley Forge National Historic Park, and agreed to replace the aging pipeline.

Tredyffrin agreed to a $110,500 fine, The Philadelphia Inquirer said.

The 30-inch pressurized pipeline is known as the “Valley Creek Trunk Sewer Force Main,” and was built in the 1970s. The 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. For nearly 2 miles, the pipeline runs along Valley Creek and through Valley Forge National Historical Park.

It ruptured in March 2012, February 2014 and March 2014.

The February and March pipeline ruptures led to about 21 million gallons of raw sewage spilling into Valley Creek, which flows directly into the Schuylkill River.

Routes 23 and 252 through the park were closed for days as a result of the March spill.

Two environmental groups, PennEnvironment and the Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited, in October announced their plans to sue Tredyffrin Township and the Tredyffrin Township Municipal Authority for alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act.

This deal may stop those groups from taking action, the Inquirer said.