Beaver Falls Municipal Authority

The Beaver Falls Municipal Authority operates from its main office at 218 School House RD, St Thomas, PENNSYLVANIA 17252, unless otherwise advertised. Our dedicated team includes a Supervisor, Treatment Plant Owner, an Operator-in-Training, a Water Distribution Foreman and three Distribution System Providers.

If you have questions about this report, please contact Manager Glynn Kindelan at 717-369-2828 during regular office hours (8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Thursday - closed Fridays). For after-hours emergencies or water service issues, follow the instructions on our recorded message for emergency contact information.

WATER SYSTEM EXPANSION

To maintain reliable service and meet future demands, we've developed additional water sources. We've drilled and developed five production wells and constructed the Fort Loudoun Water Treatment Facility to process these groundwater sources. This expansion was financed through Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) low-interest loans. The new Fort Loudoun facility will become operational in February 2018.

WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

Even without current water restrictions, you can take steps to conserve water at home. This saves money and helps preserve our limited freshwater resources. While Americans once used about 12 gallons daily, today's average exceeds 100 gallons per person daily.

Here are practical conservation steps:

• Install low-flow toilets (1.9 gal/flush instead of 5 gal/flush)
• Fix leaky toilets - check by adding food coloring to the tank
• Repair dripping faucets promptly
• Turn off water while brushing teeth or shaving
• Take shorter showers (EPA recommends 3-5 minutes)
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full
• Water lawns early morning to reduce evaporation
• Use brooms instead of hoses for cleaning outdoor surfaces
• Apply mulch around trees to retain moisture
• Plant drought-resistant vegetation
• Cover pools and spas when not in use

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, some elderly individuals, and infants. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available through the Hotline.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and may pick up substances from animal or human activity.

POTENTIAL CONTAMINANT SOURCES

• Microbial contaminants from sewage plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including naturally-occurring minerals or those from urban runoff, industrial discharge, farming, mining, or oil/gas production
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from resource extraction activities

EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water supplies, while FDA establishes similar protections for bottled water. Elevated lead levels pose serious health risks, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters water through plumbing materials. While we provide quality water, we cannot control the materials in your home's plumbing. If your water has been sitting unused, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. For concerns about lead, consider testing your water. Information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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