Source Water Protection Meeting

 Red Lion Municipal Authority
Source Water Protection Update:
Focus on Cabin Creek Watershed

Cabin Creek, located in Windsor Township, is the primary source of the raw water that is purified at the Authority's water treatment plant before being distributed as final drinking water to our customers in Red Lion and surrounding boroughs and townships.  Secondary sources include Beaver Creek and the Susquehanna River.

In 2015, the Authority completed two projects that improved the quality of the final drinking water distributed to its customers.  First, the construction of the new drinking water plant was completed and the plant placed on line in early April.  Second, the Cabin Creek Reservoir was dredged to remove sediment that had accumulated over the 40 or more years since it was last dredged.

In 2016, the Authority's Source Water Protection Program will optimize both of these projects by focusing its efforts on reducing sediment and nutrient pollution from the Cabin Creek Watershed.  Sediments, excess nutrients and high water volumes all result in lower quality raw source water and higher treatment costs.

First, the Authority, in cooperation with Windsor Township, will explore opportunities to reduce sediment, nutrients and the volume of water entering Cabin Creek during storm events by evaluating the storm water detention basins that exist in the residential neighborhoods in the upper sections of the Cabin Creek watershed.  Many of these structures were designed and installed over two decades ago, and there are now new methods to improve old storm water detention basins that reduce sediments, nutrients and the high water flows during storm events.

Second, the Authority, again in cooperation with Windsor Township, will conduct outreach to the residents in these same residential neighborhoods to inform them of things they can do to improve the quality of the source water that eventually becomes their drinking water.  For example, the Authority has purchased storm drain markers, shown below, that help everyone understand the connection between what goes down a storm drain and the water they drink.  The Authority and Windsor Township will also make rain barrels available to all residents in these neighborhoods at a nominal cost.

If you would be interested in assisting with these and other efforts of the Authority's Source Water Protection Plan, please contact John Krantz at 717-244-3475, Ext. 240, or email jkrantz@redlionma.org

 DEP Encourages Homeowners to Inspect, Repair Home Heating Oil Tanks 

PROPER TANK MAINTENANCE CAN SAVE ENERGY, MONEY -- As cold weather approaches, the Department of Environmental Protection is urging homeowners to act now to save energy and money by inspecting indoor and outdoor home heating oil tanks for potential problems prior to re-filling them.

“A quarter of all Pennsylvania homes use heating oil to stay warm in the winter,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “It is very important that these homeowners maintain and inspect their oil tanks to ensure they are safe and function properly; and at the same time, they will benefit by saving energy and money this winter.”

Leaking heating oil could cause indoor air problems and potentially contaminate groundwater and private drinking water wells. A spill cleanup may cost up to $50,000 and may not be covered by homeowner’s insurance. Residents who think their oil tank may have a problem should immediately contact their oil company for help.

DEP encourages homeowners to consider these tips:

• For safety reasons, always assume the tank contains at least some oil;

• Routinely inspect the exterior of the tank and all attached equipment;

• Check for signs of rusting on the tank and its structural supports;

• Examine the tank’s fill line and feed line to the furnace for leaks;

• Never tip over or empty a tank on the ground;

• Enlist a professional to perform maintenance or alterations to a heating oil tank system; and

• Recognize that wet spots or odors near the tank may signal a problem.

For fuel delivery, make certain that the home address is clearly visible and the tank’s fill line is clearly marked. If a resident cannot be home when fuel oil is delivered, clearly mark the fill pipe with a red flag or marker and inform the oil company of the location. Ensure that any disconnected fill pipes that remain above the ground are permanently sealed and cannot be opened.

Residents are urged to avoid needlessly losing fuel and to protect the investment they have made to keep themselves warm. For more information, 

click here: Tips for Residential Heating Tank Owners

 or call the agency’s Division of Storage Tanks at 717-772-5599.