Guilford Water Authority

Guilford Water Authority Municipal Water Report Information

The Greater Johnstown Water Authority was established in 1964 under the Municipality Authorities Act by Johnstown City and the Boroughs of Westmont and Southmont. This joint Municipal Authority was formed to deliver clean water to Greater Johnstown area residents.

At its founding, the Authority acquired all assets from the Johnstown Water Company and Saltlick Water Company. The Johnstown Water Company had served area residents since 1866, having been created by a special Act of Assembly. The water company maintained strong ties with the developing steel industry throughout its history.

In 1929, Bethlehem Steel Co. acquired majority shares in the water company, effectively making it a subsidiary. The 1964 acquisition represented the culmination of 52 years of negotiations by public officials to place control of this essential local resource into community hands.

Today's Greater Johnstown Water Authority manages three dams, two wells, a 14 million gallon per day water treatment facility at Riverside, a 3 million gallon per day treatment plant at Saltlick Reservoir, plus numerous storage tanks and pump stations. The Authority currently serves over 21,000 customers with average consumption around 6.5 million gallons daily, reaching peak usage of 10 million gallons during summer months.

Beyond its own reserves, GJWA maintains a long-term supply agreement with the Cambria Somerset Authority to purchase water from the Quemahoning reservoir. This combination of supply sources provides GJWA with abundant potable water capacity available for new customers.