Potassium Permanganate Blues (Browns)
As many of you know, we have been having problems with brown discoloration of the water in the Yearound system in the past few weeks. The short response to this problem is that thanks to some detective work by Bill Barnhart we believe that we have identified and corrected the problem. Here is the longer explanation.
You may remember that we have reported in the past that we were adjusting the potassium permanganate levels in the system to try to lower the levels of manganese, which is the mineral that causes the brown staining on fixtures and dishes. In doing so, we increased the amount of potassium permanganate being injected into the water. (For more information on potassium permanganate see this article at the EPA website, http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/mdbp/pdf/alter/chapt_5.pdf). This increased level of potassium permanganate did cause more iron and manganese to precipitate (settle) out of the water. However, instead of precipitating out in the greensand filter, as planned, the minerals precipitated out after the water was in our main distribution lines. This caused the brown water that many have been experiencing. If you place that brown water in a clear glass for 24 hours, you will notice that the brown color goes away as the minerals settle to the bottom of the glass. This is similar to the process that is happening in the greensand filter all the time. In that process the minerals that settle out are flushed into the sewer system, treated at the sewage treatment plant, and discharged into the stream. However, when this process happens in the distribution lines, as it has been, the minerals settle in the lines and ultimately end up in your faucets. We have reduced the levels of potassium permanganate being added to the water to previous levels, which should eliminate the precipitation of minerals in the distribution lines.
We will continue to adjust the greensand filter to attempt to remove more of the manganese in the filter without allowing the minerals to precipitate in the lines. Please remember that you are our eyes in the field. If you experience discolored water please contact our office. Knowing where and what was happening with the water in user’s homes and camps ultimately allowed us to find a solution to this latest problem.
Online Bill Payment
GVMA now offers online bill payment. Just go to www.gvma.pa.us and click on “Pay My Bill Online” under the “Online Services” banner. You will be directed to a secure web site where you can pay with your major credit card. There is no additional charge for this service.
