$11M in upgrades nearly complete at Elrama plant
The improvements became necessary after a drop in Monongahela River water levels.
By the MVI
Pennsylvania American Water says it is completing more than $11 million in upgrades at its E.H. Aldrich Water Treatment Plant in Elrama, improving drinking water reliability, efficiency and safety for approximately 527,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties The majority of the investment, approximately $8 million, is allocated to essential upgrades for the facility’s raw water intake and pump station.
These improvements became necessary after water levels in the Monongahela River dropped by 3-5 feet when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed the nearby Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 in 2024.
“As source water conditions change and infrastructure challenges arise, we continue to optimize and invest in this facility to efficiently and reliably treat water for our customers,” said Tim Patterson, treatment superintendent for Pennsylvania American Water.
Lower-than-expected river levels increased silt and debris at the plant’s intake, causing wear and reducing the efficiency of intake screens and pumps. To maintain water service, the company is upgrading intake equipment and pumps to meet customer demand, especially during changing river conditions.
Construction on the intake project started in September 2025, with crews working from a barge and divers replacing intake bar screens and two 35-foot traveling screens.
The project includes installing temporary pumps and reconstructing raw-water pumps to prevent disruptions to drinking water service during construction.
In addition to intake upgrades, the company recently completed a $3 million safety improvement project at the plant, which included a new chemical unloading and containment area along with upgraded pumps, piping and treatment equipment.
Built in 1960, the E.H. Aldrich Water Treatment Plant is a critical regional facility, treating an average of 32 million gallons of water per day and capable of producing up to 50 million gallons daily to serve communities across southwestern Pennsylvania.
