• Welcome from the Staff
• Infrastructure System Facts
• Board of Directors
• Telephone Directory
• Our Mission Statement

WELCOME FROM THE STAFF

The Authority takes great pride in the water we deliver to more than 32,000 domestic, public, commercial, and industrial users throughout the 12 municipalities in Blair County. Our staff of dedicated employees work to deliver the finest drinking water available that consistently meets or exceeds all regulatory standards.

The Altoona City Authority has one of the most technologically advanced water treatment and distribution systems in the United States. The Authority has constructed over 25 major water and wastewater capital improvement projects over the last fifteen years to comply with Federal and State mandated regulations at a cost approaching $180,000,000. In 1999, the Authority was honored to receive the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in Technology Innovation for their water treatment facilities. This prestigious award further demonstrates the Authority's commitment to providing safe drinking water for the future of the Altoona Area.

Altoona City Authority Staff

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INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM FACTS

Water

• The original Altoona water system was conceived in the 1870's. It acquired the former Pennsylvania Railroad water system in 1981. The Altoona City Authority system now is the largest dual operating authority (water and sewer) between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

• The Authority has constructed over 25 major capital improvement projects over the last 15 years to comply with federally mandated drinking water and dam safety regulations at a cost approaching $180 million. This is one of the most ambitious capital improvement efforts in Pennsylvania.

• Through the auspices of the low interest Pennsylvania loan program, these capital projects have been financed at affordable rates. The Authority is the largest holder in Pennvest loans in the state.

• The Altoona water system extends the entire length of U.S. Route 220/Logan Valley Corridor from Hollidaysburg to Tyrone.

• The water supply consists of the most extensive reservoir system in Pennsylvania with 12 dams/reservoirs and a total storage capacity of 3 billion gallons.

• The reservoir system (with a 2 million gallon/day well field) has a total capacity of 30 million gallons/day (MGD). Based on current demand, a supply of 11.2 MGD is available.

• The 350-mile distribution/transmission system serves over 23,000 customers in 12 municipalities.

• Fire protection and water distribution are provided through 16 water tanks and distributing reservoirs with a storage volume of 25.5 million gallons. At current demand levels (11MGD), the storage system provides over 2.3 days of usable storage.

• Water treatment is provided by 7 water plants. Total treatment capability is 30 MGD.

• The water treatment system is considered one of the most technologically advanced systems in the eastern United States employing ozonation, direct filtration, continuously backwashed/filter-to-waste/mixed media filters and a unique wastewater holding/sludge handling system.

• The treatment and storage system is controlled and monitored by a sophisticated computer and instrumentation system.

• The Horseshoe Curve facility is the largest acid mine drainage to potable water treatment plant in the country and was considered a prototypical facility when first constructed in 1968.

• Innovations in dam construction include inflatable rubber dams for additional water storage and asphaltic concrete decks and PVC impervious membranes for dam waterproofing and seepage control.

Click here for more information on the Water Division

Wastewater

• The wastewater system serves over 20,000 customers in the city of Altoona and Allegheny and Logan Townships.

• A network of over 325 miles of collection and conveyance sewers provides wastewater service to the greater Altoona area.

• Two state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants provide advanced secondary treatment capability, normally removing 95% of organic and suspended solids via the single stage nitrification, activated sludge process.

• The treatment plants have an average flow capacity of 17 million gallons per day (GPD). Hydraulic capacity to accommodate peak demand exceeds 40 million gpd. Almost 7 million gpd of excess capacity exists.

• The upstream conveyance systems contain 2 CSO's with a 2.9 million gallon combined sewer overflow storage/pumping system. The CSO's capture the "first flush" from the combined sewer system which are then released at a controlled rate to the treatment plants. These large facilities, almost entirely underground, utilize special aesthetic treatments and landscaping as both are located in residential areas. In fact, a large City park is located over one of the CSO tanks.

• The CSO facilities and treatment plants are one of the first systems in the eastern United States to integrate the treatment of wet weather flows, combined sewer overflow discharges and normal wastewater flows.

• The Altoona sewer system is over 125 years old and contains a large combined sewer area in the central city. Earlier disposal techniques included a unique sand filter bed system and Imhoff tank for primary treatment.

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ALTOONA CITY AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

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ALTOONA CITY AUTHORITY MISSION STATEMENT

As stewards of the community's water system, our mission is to provide a clean, safe, reliable water supply and to collect and treat wastewater in a manner that protects public health and the environment. Our commitment is to ensure a cost-efficient operation, render the highest standard of customer service and maintain an active role within the community.

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