Chatham University Outlines Independent Wastewater System for Eden Hall Campus

Imagine a wastewater system that has its own wetlands as part of the filtration process.

That is what is planning as part of the first phase of development at its Eden Hall campus in Richland Township — a low-energy, low-maintenance treatment system as opposed to hooking into a public sewer system.

Chatham representatives explained the self-sufficient system Wednesday night at a Richland Board of Supervisors meeting. Within the next few months, Chatham's plans for the first phase of development on the Eden Hall campus will come before the supervisors for approval.

When Chatham announced its multiyear master plan for the 388-acre Richland Township campus a year ago, it envisioned Eden Hall as the first university campus in the United States that integrates sustainable development, living and learning.

"The whole campus is designed to reuse water," said Walt Fowler, Chatham's vice president of finance. 

The wastewater treatment system uses proven treatment technologies to produce crystal-clear water with no bacteria, he said.

Natural Systems International is designing the system, said Fowler, who added that the firm has 22 years in the business with 43 LEED projects to its credit. 

Greg Quatchak, founding principal of Civil & Environmental Consultants, said the system is composed of a settling tank, which is like a septic tank; a wetlands system to remove bacteria; a recirculating sand filter system; underground pipes for drip irrigation; and UV treatment.

No chemicals are used in the process; it is all natural, Quatchak said.

Several groundwater monitoring wells will be situated on the campus, he added.

Planners also have a "Plan B," in which the campus could connect to the Allegheny Valley Joint Sewer Authority or the Breakneck Creek Regional Authority, said Quatchak.

"We know this is new kind of stuff," said Quatchak. "That's why we're always here to inform you about it."

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