Greater Johnstown Wa Riverside

Greater Johnstown Wa Riverside Municipal Water Report Info

The Greater Johnstown Water Authority was established in 1964 under the Municipality Authorities Act as a joint Municipal Authority by the City of Johnstown and Boroughs of Westmont and Southmont. Its purpose was to provide clean water to residents throughout the Greater Johnstown region.

At this time, the Authority acquired most assets from the Johnstown Water Company and Saltlick Water Company. The Johnstown Water Company had served area residents since its 1866 founding through a special Act of Assembly. The water company maintained strong ties to the local steel industry, and in 1929, Bethlehem Steel Co. acquired majority shares, effectively making it a subsidiary.

The 1964 acquisition concluded 52 years of negotiations by public officials to place this vital community resource under public control. Currently, the Greater Johnstown Water Authority manages three dams, two wells, a 14 million gallon per day (mgd) water treatment facility at Riverside, a 3 mgd treatment plant at Saltlick Reservoir, plus numerous storage tanks and pumping stations.

The Authority now serves over 21,000 customers with average consumption around 6.5 mgd, peaking at 10 mgd during summer months. In addition to its reservoirs, GJWA maintains a long-term supply agreement with the Cambria Somerset Authority to purchase water from Quemahoning reservoir, providing substantial surplus capacity for new customers.