Mandatory water conservation notice changed to voluntary
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County changed its water conservation notice from mandatory to voluntary Tuesday, following damage from a May 14 power surge at its treatment plant in Connellsville.
In a press release, the company said, “While some temporary repairs have been made to the power supply, water levels are not to the point that the notice can be lifted entirely, and further repairs are necessary.”
Michael F. Kukura, resident manager, said in the release, “We want to thank the customers for conserving when they were asked and their cooperation but we need to ask them to continue to conserve while the situation continues to improve.”
The change to a voluntary conservation advisory, the press release explained, means that in addition to minimal hygiene use, clothes and dishes can be washed, but residential customers are being asked not to water lawns and gardens, fill pools, wash cars, pressure wash, and other extraneous uses. Businesses are asked to reduce water usage to whatever is necessary to maintain operations.
“With the high temperatures approaching, we are asking customers to be cognizant that the water storage levels in our tanks are still not normal, so we are requesting they refrain from water sue that isn’t necessary for drinking, cooking, hygiene or washing of clothes or dishes,” Brian Hohman, business manager, said in the release.
The company reported the power substation at Indian Creek Water Treatment Plant in Connellsville聽 was damaged in a power surge May 14 and several high amperage switches and other equipment were destroyed. While those components have been temporarily bypassed, those repairs are not permanent. Authority consultants have begun working toward permanent repairs.
The company said it may take some time for new parts to arrive due to the high power being handled at the power station.
Approximately 107,000 of the authority’s 120,000 customers continue to be affected.
Area communities affected include Bullskin Township, Connellsville, Connellsville Township, Dawson, East Huntington Township, Everson, Forward Township, Madison, Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant Township, New Stanton, Perry Township, Rostraver Township, Scottdale, Smithton, South Connellsville, Sutersville, Upper Tyrone Township, Washington Township, West Newton and Youngwood.
Consecutive Systems affected include Pennsylvania American in Fayette County and Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County as well as Pleasant Valley Water Authority.