About
Protecting public health through reliable wastewater infrastructure.
Pay my WEWJA bill
Securely view and pay your wastewater bill online using our convenient payment system.
Report emergency
Report sewer backups or other urgent service issues that require immediate attention.
Start service
Easily set up wastewater service for your home or business.
Forms + resources
Access applications, policies, guides, and other helpful information for customers and contractors.
Meet your local sewer utility
The Washington-East Washington Joint Authority (WEWJA) was established in 1950 by the City of Washington and the Borough of East Washington under Pennsylvania’s Municipal Authorities Act to provide wastewater collection and treatment services for the communities it serves.
The Authority was created to construct, operate, and maintain the facilities necessary to protect public health, preserve environmental quality, and support the general welfare of the region.
From its creation, WEWJA was designed to function as a locally governed public utility with a clear mission and defined responsibility. Its Board is appointed by the incorporating municipalities, reinforcing accountability to the residents and businesses who rely on the system every day. This structure ensures that decisions about infrastructure investment, service reliability, and long term planning remain rooted in local oversight and focused on community benefit rather than private profit.
Service territories
Today, WEWJA’s service territory has expanded to include:
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The City of Washington
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The Borough of East Washington
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Portions of Chartiers Township
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Portions of South Strabane Township
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Portions of Canton Township
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Portions of North Franklin Township
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Portions of Amwell Township
Meet the team
Authority solicitor and engineer
History
For more than 70 years, the Washington-East Washington Joint Authority (WEWJA) has provided regional wastewater conveyance and treatment services to communities throughout the Greater Washington Area.
WEWJA was formally incorporated on May 19, 1950 by the City of Washington and the Borough of East Washington under Pennsylvania’s Municipal Authorities Act of 1945. The Authority was created to construct and operate facilities necessary to collect and treat sewage from the founding municipalities and other surrounding communities that desired public sewer service.
The Authority’s wastewater treatment plant was constructed in 1953 and has been expanded and upgraded over time to meet growing regional needs. The last major improvement was completed in 2002, which increased wet weather capacity and enhanced treatment performance.
Today, WEWJA provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for seven (7) municipalities: the City of Washington, the Borough of East Washington, North Franklin Township, South Strabane Township, Canton Township, Chartiers Township, and Amwell Township. The service area includes approximately 18,000 customer accounts and 45,000 residents.
WEWJA operates a one (1) wastewater treatment plant, 11 pump stations, and an extensive sanitary sewer system consisting of approximately 1.2 million feet of gravity sewer, 90,000 feet of forcemain, and nearly 6,000 manholes that convey wastewater to the treatment plant for safe and reliable treatment.
Through continued infrastructure investment, sewer rehabilitation programs, and long-term planning efforts, WEWJA works to maintain a reliable wastewater system while protecting Chartiers Creek and supporting responsible growth throughout the service area.
Scope of operations
Washington-East Washington Joint Authority provides comprehensive wastewater collection and treatment services to protect public health and the environment.
From the underground sewer network that transports wastewater, to private lateral connections that link individual properties, to the treatment processes that ensure safe discharge, each part of the system plays an essential role in delivering reliable, compliant sewer service to the community.
Sanitary sewer collections system
The sanitary sewer collection system is the network of underground pipes, manholes, and pump stations that carry wastewater from homes and businesses to the treatment plant. This system is designed to move wastewater safely and efficiently while preventing leaks, backups, and overflows. Ongoing maintenance and upgrades help protect public health and local waterways.
Sewer laterals & ownership responsibility
A sewer lateral is the private pipe that connects a home or building to the public sewer main. Property owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing their lateral from the structure to the curbline of the street. Keeping this line in good condition helps prevent backups, protect property, and reduce unnecessary strain on the overall sewer system.
Wastewater treatment plant
The wastewater treatment plant is where collected wastewater is cleaned and treated before being safely returned to the environment. Using a series of physical, biological, and chemical processes, the plant removes contaminants and ensures discharge meets state and federal environmental standards. This facility plays a critical role in protecting public health, supporting environmental compliance, and maintaining reliable service for the community.
Projects
Careers
If you are looking for a career with purpose, stability, and long term impact, we encourage you to explore opportunities with WEWJA.
Join a team that values professionalism, accountability, and community service, and help us build and maintain the infrastructure that supports our region today and for decades to come.
