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TIDIOUTE -- Residents served by the Southwest Warren County Municipal Authority (SWCMA) will remain under a boil water advisory through at least Sept. 1 as officials continue working to resolve ongoing filtration problems at the community’s water treatment plant.
The advisory, first issued March 18, remains in effect after testing found the authority’s combined filter effluent turbidity exceeded state drinking water standards. According to a public notice distributed July 15, a water sample collected April 15 measured turbidity levels above 4.0 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), more than double the Pennsylvania regulatory limit of 2.0 NTU.
While turbidity, or cloudiness, does not itself create a health risk, elevated levels can interfere with the disinfection process, increasing the possibility that disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites could remain in the water supply.
Residents are advised to boil all water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes. Bottled water should also be used until the advisory is lifted.
The Southwest Warren County Municipal Authority stated recent storms caused raw water turbidity to surge above 50 NTU, overwhelming the treatment process and contributing to the filtration issues. In response, operators increased chlorine levels and reduced flow through the filters to improve treatment while repairs continue.
The authority is also conducting leak detection and repairs throughout the distribution system to reduce water demand before additional maintenance and cleaning can be completed on the treatment plant’s filter bays.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials previously said they are evaluating the long-term future of Tidioute’s water system. Department officials met with SWCMA’s engineering consultant to discuss long-term options, including the potential development of a new water source.
Recent updates include:
-- July 14 – Leak detected on the recirculating line for the bridge. Filter 4 is still filtering to waste. Filter 3 planning to be out of service for maintenance.
-- July 15 – Maintenance on the intake plant was completed and filter 4 was returned to service
-- July 24 – Leak detected on Buckingham Street
-- July 27 – Repair to the leak on Buckingham Street
Crews have repaired numerous leaks throughout the distribution network, reducing overall water demand and improving system efficiency.
The authority also holds an emergency water hauling permit valid through Nov. 1, should supplemental water become necessary.
SWCMA currently anticipates resolving the filtration problems by September 1, although officials cautioned that the timeline depends on weather conditions affecting raw water quality and continued progress repairing leaks and completing maintenance.
Customers will remain under the boil water advisory until testing confirms the water system consistently meets all state drinking water standards. The authority said updated public notices will continue to be issued every 30 days while the advisory remains in effect.