Blawnox working to correct violations at water plant; drinking water is not affected
Blawnox officials are working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to resolve violations at the borough’s water plant.
Troubles stem from treatment techniques and have not impacted water quality, Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said.
“There have been no issues with any of our bacteria samples and there is nothing residents need to do at this time,” she said.
According to the DEP, the borough failed to meet the standard disinfectant residual treatment, which is the amount of chlorine or related disinfectant in the water system lines. When it gets too low, organisms can grow in the lines.
From Oct. 13 to Nov. 30, the Blawnox water system failed to meet the required amount of cleaning agents and as a result, caused a risk that the water may have contained disease-causing bacteria.
“There is nothing residents need to do,” Ulanowicz said.
Residents do not have to boil their water.
People who are immune-compromised, pregnant or elderly can seek advice from health care providers.
Ulanowicz said the borough has been awarded grants to complete work on the water tank and related valves throughout the system. Those fixes should clear the problems, she said.
“The borough also plans to try to flush the hydrants more frequently,” she said.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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