SLIDE 1
PLANT HISTORY
The City of Easton, Pennsylvania, is located at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers in Northampton County. The Easton Water Treatment Plant produces water for the City of Easton and portions of the surrounding areas including Forks Township, Palmer Township, Bethlehem Township, Wilson Boro, West Easton, Glendon, and Williams Township. Page 3 shows the locations of these suburban areas. In 1817, the Easton Water Company was formed, marking the beginning of public water service in the City. At this time, water was transmitted to various parts of the City from the springs located north of Bushkill Creek. Over the next century, new pumping stations were constructed and distribution lines improved to provide water service to growing areas of the city. During this time, the West Ward Water Company was formed to provide water to the growing western portion of the Easton Water Company, and Glendon Water City. Due to financial difficulties, the West Ward Water Company was purchased by the Lehigh Water Company in 1860. In 1924, the Northampton Consolidated Water Company was formed from four water systems. (South Easton Water Company, Palmer Township Water Company, West Company). This company, which served the southern portions of Easton, as well as parts of Wilson, West Easton, Glendon, and Palmer Township, was acquired by the Lehigh Water Company in 1929. The Lehigh Water Company constructed the filtration plant, known as the Easton Water Treatment Plant in 1932. In 1936, the City of Easton purchased the Lehigh and Northampton Consolidated Water
- Companies. As springs and wells were abandoned over the next thirty years, the Delaware River
became the sole source of public water supply for the city. The City of Easton not only provided water to residents within the city limits, but also the residents of surrounding communities. In
- rder to continuously serve the expanding suburban population without increasing rates charged
to the city residents the Easton Suburban Water Authority was formed in 1957 to serve customers located outside the Easton city limits with water supplied from the Easton Water Treatment Plant. In 2007 Easton Suburban Water Authority (ESWA) assumed responsibility for operation of the Easton Water Treatment Plant, as well as, the associated distribution systems and customers in the surrounding portions of the service area.