SYSTEM OVERVIEW

In 2022, Pennsylvania American Water acquired the York wastewater system from the City of York. At the time, the system was in poor condition and was subject to a federal consent agreement due to years of untreated wastewater discharges. The agreement requires upgrades to ensure high-flow events are treated adequately before discharge — protecting local waterways and public health. 

Since the acquisition, we’ve made steady progress in improving reliability and reducing pollution. These upgrades are helping prevent overflows during storms and support cleaner rivers and streams. Ongoing work will continue to enhance system performance and help ensure compliance with environmental standards. 

York’s wastewater system serves more than 45,000 customer connections, including approximately 14,000 direct customers in the city and bulk service to indirect customers in the neighboring Townships of Spring Garden, Manchester, West Manchester, York and Springettsbury and the Boroughs of North York and West York.

Take a virtual tour of the wastwater treatment plant by watching the video below.

BACKGROUND

In 2020, York City Mayor Michael Helfrich faced an unprecedented financial crisis, which he warned could lead to a “doomsday” budget scenario if decisive action was not taken. The city faced a $14 million budget deficit in 2021. Without a solution, the mayor predicted a 48% property tax hike.

The budget shortfall meant that drastic service cuts were inevitable. The mayor’s proposed “doomsday” budget outlined severe measures, including layoffs of essential personnel such as police officers and municipal employees. These cuts threatened to destabilize public safety.

For years, the City of York had deferred necessary investments in the system due to financial constraints, resulting in years of underinvestment and a precarious financial situation: 

• An estimated 86% of the pipes in the collection system were installed before 1950, utilizing materials less durable than today’s standards.
• Prior to Pennsylvania American Water acquiring the City of York’s wastewater system, there was a history of releasing raw sewage directly into the Codorus Creek as well as 29 effluent exceedances just in the period between March 2019 and June 2021.
• The budget shortfall meant that drastic service cuts were inevitable. The mayor’s proposed “doomsday” budget outlined severe measures, including layoffs of essential personnel such as police officers and municipal employees. These cuts threatened to destabilize public safety.

The sale of the wastewater system to Pennsylvania American Water was a strategic decision to address these interconnected challenges. By transferring ownership to a private operator with the resources and expertise to invest in the system, the city could stabilize its finances, avoid massive tax increases, and ensure the long-term sustainability of its wastewater system and economic future.

IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE

Investing in our infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of your wastewater system. These investments help us comply with state and federal environmental standards, improve service quality, and address systemic issues from years of underfunding.

A significant challenge in York is high inflow and infiltration, where stormwater enters the sewer system and overwhelms the treatment plant. To address this, we’ve inspected large portions of the collection system and lined more than 75,000 feet of aging clay pipes. A key project to replace 2,500 feet of deteriorated pipe is underway and will increase capacity and reduce the risk of overflows. 

Once these improvements are complete, the system is expected to divert up to 70 million gallons of wastewater when needed from local waterways — helping protect the Codorus Creek and the surrounding environment from pollution. 

That’s why we have invested over $13.725 million in capital improvements across the York Wastewater system and plan to invest $60 million in improvements by 2030. 

Here are just a few local highlights: 

• Replacing 2,500 feet of aging clay pipe with a larger interceptor will reduce inflow and infiltration, helping to prevent sewer overflows
• Installing a new digital control system  to replace outdated technology, enabling operators to monitor and manage the facility in real time, improving response times, system reliability and overall performance
• Upgrading a screw pumps at our wastewater treatment plant that moves roughly 7 million gallons of wastewater per day with a newer, more reliable version
• Implementing trenchless pipelining technology

RECENT UPDATES

Pennsylvania American Water was honored to receive a certificate of appreciation from the York County Veterans Outreach. Our team is proud to support this organization's mission and to partner on events that uplift and honor veterans in our community.

During Watershed Week, we welcomed members of the Watershed Alliance of York for a tour of our York Wastewater Treatment Plant. During the visit, we shared the investments and upgrades we've made since acquiring the facility and walked participants through the plant to show how our operations help protect local waterways and strengthen our community.

Recently, a group of our employees volunteered time at the York County Food Bank, boxing meals for local families in need. While there, we also presented the food bank with a $10,000 check representing an American Water Charitable Foundation State Strategic Impact Grant it received late last year.

MORE INFORMATION

• York Wastewater case study 
• York customer update email - Oct. 2025