The Sand Spring Wastewater Treatment Plant in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania now meets its increased treatment demands through an innovative retrofit rather than costly expansion. When new industrial discharge from a cold storage facility pushed the plant beyond capacity, Lehigh County Authority partnered with AECOM and Tetra Tech to implement Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) technology.
The solution introduced heavy carrier media into existing sequencing batch reactors. This media supports beneficial bacteria growth, enhancing biological treatment and improving ammonia removal. The facility now maintains consistent performance and meets strict effluent limits—even during cold weather conditions.
Space constraints and surrounding wetlands made traditional expansion impractical. The IFAS retrofit delivered faster results at lower cost. The plant remained operational throughout construction, including during winter conditions.
This project demonstrates how technical innovation and strong partnerships solve infrastructure challenges while protecting water quality. The upgrade strengthens treatment capacity today while safeguarding local streams and waterways for the future.