As you are no doubt aware, there have been ongoing issues with water quality in the Glendale Yearound. The GVMA is working to improve water quality, both in the short term and in the long term.
There are two primary problems with Yearound water quality. One is a high level of manganese in the well water and the other is sediment in the lines. The manganese in the well water is what is causing the brown/black staining on fixtures and dishes. This mineral is naturally occurring in the ground water and it becomes more concentrated when the water sits in the lines for a long period of time, like when water use is low in the winter months. The sediment is what causes the “iced tea” colored water from time to time. This is especially noticeable when you have a large volume of water, like in a washing machine. The sediment in the lines is due to the condition of the lines in the Yearound system. These lines are approaching the limit of their usable life and are allowing the entry of silt into the system. The GVMA is currently pursuing both short and long term solutions to both of these quality issues.
In the short term, we are implementing a regular flushing schedule to minimize the buildup of sediment in the lines. This will also help prevent the manganese from becoming concentrated in the lines. We are also working with PA Rural Water Association to make modifications to our existing green sand filter to remove the manganese from the water. The green sand filter has been very effective in reducing the high iron levels in the water. We believe that with the proper modifications, it can also greatly reduce the level of manganese.
The long term solution to the high mineral levels is a new water source. The pending White Township water project has been expanded to include an interconnection to the Yearound from Beaver Valley. This will provide water from the Reade Township system to residents of the Glendale Yearound. This water is of very high quality without many of the mineral contaminants found in the existing Yearound wells. When the interconnection is complete the existing wells will be used only as a back-up water source. The long term solution to the sediment problem is replacement of the main lines in the Yearound. As construction of the interconnection line begins we will also be designing a plan to replace the water line mains in the Yearound. This will ensure that the high quality water that will be going into the Yearound water system will maintain its quality until it reaches your home or camp. We hope to have all of this work done in the next two to three years.
Please be assured that the water in the Yearound is safe for consumption and all other household uses. We do daily monitoring and testing, the results of which are reported to PADEP on a monthly basis. The sediment and manganese issues discussed above are related to aesthetics, not safety. We will continue to keep you updated in your monthly billing on our steps to improve water quality. If you would like to receive information in a more timely manner, please sign up for our e-mail updates or follow us on Facebook. You can find links to all of these options on our website, www.gvma.pa.us.
Tracy Plessinger, Manager
Glendale Valley Municipal Authority
