Doylestown Township Municipal Authority

CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR UPDATES ON SOUTH WELLS AND VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs):

Important Information About Your Drinking Water
Update on South Wells and Volatile Organic Compounds

The Authority's main goal is to deliver drinking water meeting or exceeding requirements of the Federal & State Safe Drinking Water Act; to provide capacity and storage facilities capable of providing fire suppression water when needed; to construct and expand the distribution system as necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of Doylestown Township residents.

For the monitoring period January 1 to December 31, 2009, the Doylestown Township Municipal Authority (DTMA) pumped groundwater that met water quality standards with minimal treatment. Water delivered by the DTMA wells is typical of Bucks County groundwater in that it is high in hardness, iron and manganese. No treatment is completed for hardness, however iron and manganese is sequestered in two of thirteen wells. Volatile organic compounds are removed at one well. All water is disinfected with chlorine applied at each well house before distribution.

Nationally, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. Locally, DTMA distributes groundwater pumped from 13 wells located within Doylestown Township and one well in Plumstead Township and may receive groundwater via an interconnect with Doylestown Borough and a blend of surface and groundwater via an interconnect with the North Penn Water Authority. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

·  Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.

·  Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.

·  Pesticide and herbicides, which may come from variety of sources such as agricultural, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.

·  Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.

·  Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water meets minimum Federal Safe Drinking Water Standards, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establishes limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. It should be noted that all drinking water, including that which is bottled, may be reasonably expected to contain small amounts of contaminants, however the presence thereof does not necessarily pose a health risk. 

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with the HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.  EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791 or by visiting the EPA website at: www.epa.gov/safewater/dwhealth.   

The Authority was formed by Doylestown Township in 1978 to better meet the water and sewer needs of the Township. The Authority then served in a planning and advisory role to the Board of Supervisors until 1986 when it took ownership of the existing sewer system known as Kings Plaza and the newly developing Doylestown Estates and The Greens water systems. In 1987, Doylestown Township entered into agreement with the Authority subject to following the general guidelines of the water and sewer plan as prepared by Huth Engineers and several operating restrictions. It was agreed the Authority could utilize the services of Township employees and in so doing, would reimburse the Township for all expenses related thereto. This arrangement continues to this day. 

In 1993, the Authority sold its interest in the public sewer system to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority. That Authority had been operating the public sewer system generally in the northern areas of the Township but now manages the pubic sewer system throughout Doylestown Township. 

The Authority owns and operates three public water system in the Central Bucks area. The largest covers most of Doylestown Township with better than 46 miles of distribution mains which service 2100 bulk, commercial, institutional and residential customers with ground water pumped from thirteen wells. A second covers the Cedar Crest Farms area of the Township as well as a portion of New Britain Township along Upper State Road. Surface water from the Forest Park Treatment Plant is the source for this system of more than 100 customers. A third system is located in the Cross Keys Place Shopping Center in Plumstead Township. This ground water system serves residential and commercial properties in the Cross Keys area with a stand alone well and storage tank. Approximately one million gallons of water per day is distributed to all customers and bulk customers, such as Plumstead Township's Patriot Ridge area and Bucks County's Neshaminy Manor Complex. A staff of three operators keep the water flowing on a daily basis.

The Authority maintains five storage tanks with a combined storage of 1.75 million gallons of water to meet the peak demand for domestic needs and fire suppression services. It is interconnected to the North Penn and North Wales Water Authorities for surface water. An interconnection with the Borough of Doylestown is maintained for the pressure and capacity needed to service the Doylestown Hospital. Interconnections are maintained with several independent systems such as the Pine Run Community. The benefits of interconnection provides supply and/or backup water sources and reduces the need for duplication of facilities, such as storage tanks.

Ground water is pumped from wells averaging about 500 foot in depth with water pumped from the 200 foot level. The water delivered is typical Bucks County groundwater in that it is high in hardness, iron and manganese. The iron and manganese is sequestered in two of thirteen wells. All groundwater is disinfected with Chlorine gas injected at each well house. Currently some seventy tests are completed in an effort to monitor for Microbiological, Radioactive, Inorganic (lead, copper, nitrates,etc.), Synthetic Organic (pesticides) and Volatile Organic (xylenes, carbon tetrachloride, etc.) Contaminants. All water is tested periodically as required by permit of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). Water capacities are monitored under permit by the Delaware River Basin Commission.

• Water bills are sent out by the DTMA & are blue. The green colored bill is from Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (215-343-2538) for your sewer usage.
   

• Bills are sent out quarterly (January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1) and due by January 31, May 1, July 31, and October 31 respectively. Any bills received or postmarked after the due date are subject to the noted late fee, which will be assessed to your next quarter's bill.
   

• New or existing dwellings needing public water should:
  - Contact DTMA at 215-348-9915 to see if public water is available. If not, obtain a well permit from Township Code Enforcement Department.
  - If there is water available, obtain a fee schedule from the DTMA office and pay applicable service/tap in fees. 
  - Either way, obtain a plumbing permit from the Code Enforcement Office.
  - Hire a reputable contractor who is licensed by the Township. Meters may be purchased at the DTMA office, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown.
   

• Moving? Have your realtor contact DTMA with the settlement date so your water bill may be paid at settlement. Your realtor should handle all this for you.

Two helpful hints to public water users: when the house is quiet, take a peek at the water meter mounted on your supply line, usually found in the basement. If the little dial is moving and you're not using water, something is leaking, usually a toilet, and it is wasting water that you are paying for. Or, if you hear (yes, you can put your ear to the meter) a gushing or hissing sound, contact the Authority office immediately, as water may be leaking at the curb connection. We'll be glad to check it out at no charge.