Slippery Rock Twp. adjusts community building water treatment to fulfill DEP regulations
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — After an inspection by the Department of Environmental Protection found issues with the township community building’s water, supervisors moved to ensure safe drinking water for occupants.
The community building also serves as the municipal building for township meetings and a senior center on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
According to Tom Decker, regional communications manager for DEP, the inspection took place Jan. 24. The results included a high manganese content and low “chlorine detention time” in the system.
On Monday, Feb. 24, the board of supervisors addressed the inspection by voting unanimously to install a new treatment system and a pipe. They were approved at a cost of $12,259.80 with an additional $2,500 for design and engineering.
The new treatment system will address the high manganese levels, while the pipe will give the water the necessary time for chlorine detention.
“Chlorine is used to inactivate potentially parthenogenic microorganisms — such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa — that may be present in source water utilized as a supply for public water systems,” Decker explained. “Detention time is required to ensure the chlorine added as a disinfectant works and eliminates bacteria.”
Decker said the board was given until March 10 to submit a plan and until May 24 to make the necessary changes.
According to Decker, this is the first time high manganese levels were detected at the building.
“The last routine inspection, prior to the one on Jan. 24, did not show elevated levels of manganese above the Environmental Protection Agency limits. There is no boil water advisory or ‘do not consume’ necessary in this instance,” Decker said.
A fact sheet by the Water Quality Association notes high manganese content is associated with metallic-tasting water and black stains on tubs, toilets, fixtures and clothes. It also warns of possible health concerns due to exposure.
“The likelihood of health impacts from manganese are dependent on factors such as the route of exposure, the chemical form, the age at exposure and an individual’s nutritional status,” the fact sheet said. “Certain groups that are more sensitive to manganese include infants, the elderly and those with liver disease.”
According to Decker, the EPA established a maximum contaminant level of 0.05 mg/L and a lifetime health advisory level of 0.3 mg/L for chronic exposure. Levels recorded at the community building surpassed these.
“Manganese levels, as found during grab sample analysis by the department’s sanitarian at the time of the inspection, indicated a raw water concentration of 0.873 mg/L and a finished water concentration of 1.083 mg/L,” Decker said.
Township Supervisor Paul Dickey said that despite the issue, there are no concerns for township residents at large.
“It would probably be a concern if it was your home, but the most people here are doing is maybe grabbing a cup of water,” Dickey said. “It’s more of an aesthetic issue than anything else.”
While the community building operates off its own well system, it is recommended by the state to test private well water periodically. Bacterial test kits can be purchased at any DEP regional office, including the Meadville and Pittsburgh locations.
