Derry Township Municipal Authority

What Derry Township Municipal Authority does

Derry Township Municipal Authority (DTMA) is a public municipal authority formed in 1971 under the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act, providing wastewater collection and treatment plus stormwater management services to approximately 20,000 residents across six municipalities (Township of Derry, Hummelstown Borough, and the Townships of South Hanover, Lower Swatara, Londonderry, and Conewago) in the Hershey, Pennsylvania region. Its physical infrastructure comprises two wastewater treatment facilities with combined 5.62 MGD capacity (Clearwater Road at 5.02 MGD, Southwest at 0.6 MGD being expanded to 1.54 MGD), 156 miles of sanitary sewer, 17 SCADA-monitored pump stations, and stormwater management assets serving a 42-square-mile territory. Treatment technologies include complete-mix activated sludge with biological nutrient removal (total nitrogen to ~3 mg/L, phosphorus below 1 mg/L, >95% BOD/SS removal), UV disinfection, anaerobic digestion with combined heat and power cogeneration achieving net-zero energy, and a forthcoming biosolids drum dryer and gasification system.

DTMA generates revenue through a hybrid rate structure: monthly sewer service fees to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers; a stormwater management program fee of $10.00/month per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) based on impervious area; transaction-based hauled-waste disposal fees at the septage receiving station; industrial pretreatment permit and discharge fees under the federally mandated program; and renewable energy credit sales plus net-metering revenue from its 2 MW CHP system. Customer billing operates through a self-service AuthorityPay online portal, direct mail, in-person payments, and a 24/7 drop box, with an emergency hotline for sewer backups and after-hours incidents. Operations are governed by a seven-member appointed Board of Directors serving five-year terms, with an administrative team led by an Executive Director and supported by deputy, operations, maintenance, collection systems, laboratory, stormwater, and facilities supervisors.

The authority pursues capital expansion funded by a combination of user fees and more than $11.69 million in grant and tax-credit awards, including a $4 million Inflation Reduction Act tax credit (November 2025), a $4.19 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund grant, a $3.5 million EDA grant, and a $500,000 PPL Electric Utilities rebate. Strategic priorities include Southwest WWTF capacity expansion, the High Meadow Pump Station Improvement Plan serving the Milton Hershey School West End Project (construction February 2026 to Spring 2027), biosolids processing buildout, and Ridge Road Drainage Improvements (~ $5.5 million). The authority has earned multi-year NACWA Peak Performance Awards (Gold 2023, Silver 2024), PWEA Utility of the Future Awards (2021, 2024), and a NACWA National Environmental Achievement Award.

Name

Derry Township Municipal Authority

Legal name

Derry Township Municipal Authority

Website

https://dtma.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Derry Township Municipal Authority (DTMA) is a Pennsylvania municipal authority, formed in 1971, that provides wastewater collection, treatment, and stormwater management services to approximately 20,000 residents across six municipalities in the Hershey region through two treatment facilities and 156 miles of sanitary sewer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater Utility Services

NAICS

Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Anaerobic Treatment & Resource Recovery (Biogas/Co-digestion) (EUANADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Municipal Wastewater Collection (Sewer Networks) (BPALAMAA), Sewer Pump/Lift Stations & Wet Wells (EUANACAC)

Keywords

• Wastewater treatment services
• Stormwater management programs
• Municipal sewer services
• Industrial pretreatment permitting
• Wastewater collection infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Hershey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Wastewater/Sewer Service Fees: Monthly sewer bills charged to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. The authority bills sewer customers monthly and collects charges based on rates set in the Rates, Rules and Regulations schedule. This is the primary recurring revenue stream.
2. Stormwater Management Program Fees: Monthly fees based on Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of impervious area (3,800 sq ft per ERU). Properties with minimum 500 sq ft of impervious area are billed. Fee increased from $6.50/month/ERU (2017) to $10.00/month/ERU. Applied as a line item on sewer bills for connected properties, or as standalone bills for non-connected properties.
3. Hauled Waste Disposal Fees: Fees charged to haulers for disposal of nontoxic, biodegradable hauled waste including sludge, sewage, septic tank contents, and industrial byproducts at the Clearwater Wastewater Treatment Facility. Haulers must obtain a Hauled Waste Discharge Permit before discharging waste.
4. Industrial Pretreatment Permit and Discharge Fees: Industrial users discharging into the sewerage system are required to obtain an industrial user permit, which sets forth specific requirements including sampling, monitoring, reporting, compliance schedules, and discharge requirements. Fees are associated with permits and discharge authorization.
5. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Net Metering Revenue: The CHP cogeneration facility at Clearwater Road WWTF generates 2 MW of electricity. Surplus electric generation not consumed by the plant is allocated for net metering (sell-back to the electric grid) and renewable energy credit (REC) sales, providing additional revenue.
6. Biosolids Processing and Management Fees: Revenue from regional biosolids processing and management services using the drum dryer and gasification system, accepting waste from external parties for co-digestion at the expanded CHP facility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Derry Township Municipal Authority owns and operates two wastewater treatment facilities with combined 5.62 MGD capacity, 156 miles of sanitary sewers, 17 pump stations, and a stormwater management program serving six municipalities in the Hershey, Pennsylvania area with approximately 20,000 residents. Core services include wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal to NPDES discharge standards; a fee-based Stormwater Management Program structured around Equivalent Residential Units; Industrial Pretreatment permitting; Hauled Waste acceptance from sludge and septage haulers; laboratory sampling and compliance testing; and equipment maintenance. The Clearwater Road Wastewater Treatment Facility achieves net-zero energy through a 2-megawatt combined heat and power cogeneration facility fueled by biogas from anaerobic digestion.

Product overview

Derry Township Municipal Authority (DTMA) is a municipal water authority that provides essential public services rather than commercial software products. The organization operates a unified infrastructure services portfolio consisting of wastewater collection (156 miles of sanitary sewers, 17 pump stations), wastewater treatment (two treatment facilities with combined 5.62 MGD capacity), stormwater management (including a fee-based program with credits system), hauled waste acceptance, industrial pretreatment regulation, laboratory testing, and systems maintenance. DTMA also provides customer-facing services through an online bill pay portal. These are government/municipal services delivered through physical infrastructure and regulatory programs, not software products or platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wastewater Collection Services DTMA operates and maintains 156 miles of sanitary sewers, 17 wastewater pump stations, and 4 meter stations to collect and convey wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries to the Clearwater Road and Southwest Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Sewer maintenance includes inspection and cleaning of 20-25 miles of sewers each year.
• Wastewater Treatment DTMA operates two wastewater treatment facilities: the Clearwater Road Wastewater Treatment Facility (5.02 MGD capacity) and the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Facility (0.6 MGD capacity, expanding to 1.54 MGD). Treatment technology includes complete mix activated sludge with biological nutrient removal at Clearwater Road, and extended aeration activated sludge with closed loop oxidation ditches at Southwest. Both facilities achieve greater than 95% BOD and suspended solids removal.
• Stormwater Management Program DTMA manages stormwater runoff to protect public health, properties, and downstream waterways from flooding and pollution through infrastructure management, detention basins, infiltration basins, green infrastructure approaches, fee-based programs, credit policy (up to 45% reduction), and educational initiatives including the Stormwater Minute series. The program addresses MS4 permit compliance and Chesapeake Bay TMDL obligations.
• Hauled Waste Acceptance DTMA accepts and safely processes hauled waste including sludge, sewage, and septic tank contents at its septage receiving station for disposal at the Clearwater Wastewater Treatment Facility. Haulers transporting non-hazardous, biodegradable industrial byproducts must obtain a Hauled Waste Discharge Permit prior to discharge.
• Industrial Pretreatment Program DTMA operates an EPA-required Industrial Pretreatment Program (40 CFR 403) that regulates industrial discharges into the sewer system. Industrial users must obtain an Industrial User Permit that sets forth specific sampling, monitoring, reporting, compliance schedule, and discharge requirements to protect treatment processes and water quality.
• Laboratory Services DTMA's in-house laboratory provides sampling and testing of influent and effluent wastewater in accordance with standard methods to monitor compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, and analyzes industrial user samples and processed waste for operational process control.
• Systems Maintenance DTMA maintains 14 wastewater pump stations, treatment equipment at both wastewater treatment facilities, and a fleet of 18 vehicles through its maintenance division with specialized fabrication and welding capabilities. The division handles more than 1,000 pieces of rotating equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Net-zero energy achieved at Clearwater WWTF; 100% of total plant power demand offset
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Dauphin County Conservation DistrictsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026DTMA and Dauphin County Conservation District co-host the Rain Barrel Workshop on March 5, 2026 to educate residents on stormwater management on private properties and water conservation. The Conservation District provides technical expertise and resources for the workshop.
• Ankiewicz Enterprises, Inc.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025DTMA entered into a contract with Ankiewicz Enterprises, Inc. to construct the Ridge Road Drainage Improvements Project. The project involves storm sewer replacement, upgrade, expansion, and relocation with a construction cost of nearly $5.5 million.
• Spring Creek East Watershed Alliance, Inc. (SCEWA)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2024SCEWA was founded April 23, 2024 and incorporated February 3, 2026 as a nonprofit focused on improving the Spring Creek watershed (24 square miles, part of Chesapeake Bay watershed). DTMA is a partner along with other environmental organizations, educational departments, and government entities. SCEWA is sponsored by the Russ Collins and Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
• Trout Unlimited - Doc Fritchey Chapter (DFTU)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DFTU sponsored the incorporation of SCEWA and partners on restoration and improvement of the Spring Creek East Watershed to create a sustainable, ecologically diverse, and recreationally friendly environment.
• Township of DerrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1971DTMA was formed under the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act in 1971 by Derry Township. The Township transferred stormwater program responsibilities to DTMA in 2017 for greater operational efficiency. The Board of Supervisors appoints the 7-member Board of Directors. DTMA partners with the Township on infrastructure projects such as sidewalk, ADA ramps, and crosswalk installations on Ridge Road.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTMA operates under EPA regulations including NPDES permit requirements and 40 CFR 403 industrial pretreatment program regulations. The authority's programs are designed to meet federal environmental standards set by the EPA.
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTMA holds NPDES permits issued by the PA DEP and operates under state environmental regulations. PA DEP oversight includes stormwater MS4 permit compliance and wastewater discharge authorizations.
• Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTMA is a member of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, which provides advocacy, resources, and best practices guidance for municipal authorities across Pennsylvania.
• Pennsylvania Water Environment Association (PWEA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTMA participates in PWEA programs and awards, including the Utility of the Future Award. PWEA provides industry recognition, technical resources, and networking for water environment professionals in Pennsylvania.
• Central Pennsylvania Water Quality Association (CPWQA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTMA works with CPWQA on water quality issues affecting central Pennsylvania. CPWQA serves as an environmental associate addressing regional water quality concerns.
• PPL Electric UtilitiessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPL Electric Utilities provided a $500,000 rebate under their Business Energy Efficiency Program for DTMA's CHP cogeneration facility. DTMA participates in net metering with PPL, selling back surplus electricity to the grid.
• Center for Watershed ProtectionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center for Watershed Protection developed the Spring Creek Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) focused on specific needs of Spring Creek. The WIP pinpoints problems and solutions for improving, remediating, and maintaining watershed health.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority: Pennsylvania Authority Act entity delivering wastewater collection and treatment across multiple Bucks County municipalities. Directly comparable multi-municipal service territory, regulatory setting (PA DEP NPDES), and mix of residential/commercial/industrial customers.
• Lancaster Area Sewer Authority: PA municipal sewer authority operating the City of Lancaster and surrounding townships with similar wastewater collection, treatment, and customer mix. Most direct functional peer given overlapping Pennsylvania regulatory environment and municipal-authority governance model.
• Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority: Pennsylvania-based municipal authority providing combined water and wastewater services to a large regional customer base. Comparable in governance (Authority Act entity), NPDES-driven operations, and Capital improvement program structure, though materially larger scale.
• Upper Moreland-Hatboro Joint Sewer Authority: Suburban Philadelphia PA municipal authority providing wastewater collection and treatment to two municipalities. Closest comparable in customer base (multi-municipal residential plus commercial), infrastructure scale (~156-mile-equivalent collection system), and Authority Act operating model.

Broad incumbents

• DC Water (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority): Regional water/wastewater authority recognized for advanced treatment, biosolids management, and energy recovery (e.g., combined heat and power and Class A biosolids). Useful peer for benchmarking DTMA's CHP/biogas and biosolids investment roadmap, though far larger in scale and geography.
• Clean Water Services (Washington County, Oregon): Oregon water resources entity providing wastewater, stormwater, and water supply services with industry-leading sustainability and energy-recovery programs. Comparable on integrated stormwater + treatment + reuse model and on its pursuit of net-zero-equivalent energy performance at WWTPs.
• Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD): Large regional wastewater treatment utility operating across multiple jurisdictions with extensive nutrient-removal and energy-recovery programs. Relevant broader-incumbent comparable for DTMA's wastewater treatment, biosolids gasification, and SWIFT/reuse trajectory.

Regional players

• Philadelphia Water Department: City-owned water and wastewater utility serving Philadelphia and portions of surrounding counties under the same PA DEP and EPA NPDES regime. Comparable service mix including stormwater and industrial pretreatment, though materially larger in scale, geography, and customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DTMAHersheyPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/derry-township-municipal-authority

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Derry Township Municipal Authority