In 2003, Chester Water Authority completed its 64th year of service as a municipal authority and its 137th year of service as a water provider. Last year over $12 million was invested in new development and the expansion, rehabilitation, and reinforcement of our infrastructure. These projects provided opportunities for the Authority to incorporate new customers, while continuing to deliver quality, service, and value to all customers.

One significant project that was completed in 2003 was the purchase of the Shangri-La Water Company in New Garden Township, Chester County. This expanded our customer base with 431 new customers.

Beginning with filter #1 at the Octoraro Treatment Plant, the Authority set in motion the automation of our water filtering process. Filter performance will be optimized as the manually operated valves are converted to electrically operated valves.  Filter performance will be optimized as the manually operated valves are converted to electrically operated valves.

In April 2003, construction began at the Treatment Plant on a state-of-the-art surge valve facility designed to provide more reliable protection to the transmission main from potential damage resulting from hydraulic pressure surges associated with unexpected power outages.

Other significant projects that were recently completed include upgrades to our booster stations that serve the growing population in Southern Chester County, maintenance on our storage tanks at the Village Green Tank Farm in Delaware County, rehabilitation of water mains, valves, and hydrants in the City of Chester, and renewal of water mains at four bridge crossings.

All these improvements to our infrastructure are designed to ensure that our customers have the water they want when they need it.