Harrodsburg Municipal Water Department

The Harrodsburg Municipal Water Department sources its water from the Kentucky River near Big Bridge. A Water Resource Assessment has been completed and is available for public review at Harrodsburg City Hall located at 208 South Main Street.

The assessment summary indicates moderate susceptibility to contaminants overall, with several areas of significant concern. Herrington Pond, which feeds into Kentucky River, has been identified as vulnerable. The condition of this pond may signal watershed issues that could negatively impact water quality.

Other high-concern areas include a railroad bridge, highway bridge, agricultural crop zones, waste management facilities, and a KPDES permitted discharge point. Additionally, there are numerous permitted operations within the greater watershed that increase potential contamination risks, including large septic systems, major roadways, underground storage tanks, and hazardous chemical users.

All water sources, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate health risks. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

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

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage facilities, septic systems, livestock operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals occurring naturally or from stormwater runoff, wastewater discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from stormwater runoff, agriculture, or residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, or septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or from oil/gas production or mining

To ensure tap water safety, EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants—may face increased infection risks. These individuals should seek advice about drinking water from their healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminant risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Information About Lead: Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water primarily comes from materials and components in service lines and home plumbing. While your local water system provides quality drinking water, it cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Why is Highland requiring customers to pressure test their sewers when other municipalities aren't?

Highland has been addressing the I&I (Infiltration & Inflow) issue longer than any neighboring sewer system. Our experience demonstrates that no municipal sewer system in the Greater Johnstown area has successfully reduced flows to the PaDEP mandated limit (625 GPD/EDU) without requiring homeowners to pressure test their complete buried pipeline system.

Can I fish in Highland's reservoirs?

Highland's secondary and remotely located Lloydell Reservoir (also known as Beaverdale Reservoir or Five-Mile Reservoir) is NOT open to the public. However, Highland's primary reservoir (Beaverdam Reservoir) along Route 869 in Summerhill Township IS OPEN for limited public access through a cooperative management agreement with the PA Fish and Boat Commission.