Northampton Borough Municipal Authority's 75th anniversary this year will not be celebrated by the popping of champagne, but rather by a simple toast of water.

And, there will be no banquet, fanfare or any gathering of dignitaries.

The March 30 event is a tribute to the borough fathers who, in 1940, proceeded with the acquisition of the privately owned Clear Springs Water Company, which at the time was providing water to families in the growing area.

NBMA Chairman Edward Hozza Sr. said the borough decided at the time that rather than use tax dollars, the cost to provide water to the community would come from the fees the customers would pay for the service.

The stake by Clear Springs Water was $1 million.

Steve Kerbacher, NBMA general manager, said billboards on Route 329 and on Main Street will recognize NBMA's founding. They will appear next month.

Hozza said the NBMA would have held an open house at its state-of-the-art treatment plant, just outside of Cementon, in North Whitehall Township, but the state is constructing a new Second Street bridge.

An open house at the NBMA office and garage at Clear Springs and Lerchenmiller drives was canceled since the contractor is utilizing the building's lunch room.

The NBMA provides water to Northampton, Coplay, North Catasauqua, a large section of Whitehall Township, Allen Township and a section of North Whitehall Township.

In some instances, fire hydrant water supplies are added. The NBMA has 15,000 customers.

Prior to opening its new water treatment plant in 2006, it housed the treatment plant in Cementon.

The NBMA has 28 employees and five board members appointed by Northampton Borough Council.

Hozza has served for 45 years, along with serving as chair since 1973.

Kerbacher, who served as assistant general manager for years, became general manager in January when Jerry Deily retired. Deily serves as a part-time consultant.