|
Brodhead Watershed
|
Brodhead Watershed
For more information on threats to drinking water, click here Everyone who lives, works, attends school or visits the Brodhead watershed depends on the watershed for their drinking water supply. Water supplies can be either a private water system (an individual homeowner's well) or a public system. Private Drinking Water Systems The most frequent source of drinking water supply in the Brodhead watershed is the private well. 50% of homeowners and small businesses in the Brodhead watershed depend on private wells for their drinking water supplies. Most wells are used for residential purposes, although small commercial entities also utilize wells for their drinking water source. Unlike Public Water Systems, private systems are neither monitored nor regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The private individual (residential or small commercial operation) is responsible for both the quality and quantity of their private water systems. Private drinking water systems (wells) can vary in depth from less than 100' to over 700' deep. These wells face the same threats to their water sources (groundwater) as Public Water Systems, yet without the monitoring requirements of the Public Water Systems. Private systems depend on pumps, storage tanks and electrical service and, most importantly, the care of the homeowner, in order to operate. Whether affected by a drought, water contamination or a mechanical/electrical malfunction, private drinking water system owners, for the most part, are "on their own" and are responsible for the operation and maintenance of these systems. Public Water Systems Public Water Systems are licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A Public Water System is defined as one which provides water to the public for human consumption. The term includes collection, treatment, and storage and distribution facilities used in connection with the system. The term also includes a system, which provides water for bottling or bulk hauling for human consumption. Within this definition, the Department of Environmental Protection regulates three different categories of Public Water Systems as follows:
All of these types of systems are represented in the Brodhead watershed. From a school or large commercial building, to strip malls, doctor's office complex, a municipal authority or municipal water department, all depend on the watershed for their water source. Water systems may use "surface water" sources (streams, creeks, springs, lakes or reservoirs) and/or they may use "groundwater" sources (wells). Regardless of their size or the complexity of their treatment facilities, all are regulated by and report to DEP. Of course, these Public Water Systems are at risk from the various threats common to all water users in the Brodhead watershed, whether they utilize groundwater sources or surface water sources. Public Water Systems in the Brodhead watershed include (list is not complete): Brodhead Creek Regional Authority East Stroudsburg Borough Water Department National Utilities, Inc. (Mountainhome Division and Hamilton Division) Pocono/Jackson Joint Water Authority Map of Public drinking water systems in the Brodhead watershed
Public water systems rates and service are regulated by the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission. Phone: 717-783-1740 Consumer complaint phone number: 1-800-782-1110
Brodhead Creek Regional Authority (BCRA) The Brodhead Creek Regional Authority (BCRA) (formerly Stroudsburg Municipal Authority) is the largest Public Water System in Monroe County serving over 20,000 people in the Borough of Stroudsburg and Stroud, Smithfield, Hamilton and Pocono townships. The Authority office and water plant is located at 410 Stokes Avenue, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 (Stroud Township), on the west side of the Brodhead Creek. Its annual operating budget is approximately $2.2 million, with an annual capital improvement program of $200 - $300,000. In the 1990's, the Stroudsburg Municipal Authority spent over $13.5 million to upgrade and extend its water distribution system, develop new sources of water (wells #1 and 2) and modernize its water treatment plant into a "state-of-the-art" facility. The Authority is permitted to withdrawn 5.38 million gallons per day (mgd) from its wells and the Brodhead Creek. Wells #1 and 2 can produce up to 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) each for a total capacity of 2.88 mgd. The wells are located approximately ¼ of a mile north of the water treatment plant, on the west side of the Brodhead Creek. These wells represent a groundwater source in the Brodhead Watershed. The water treatment plant can generate 2.5 mgd with its source being the Brodhead Creek. This source represents a surface water source in the Brodhead Watershed. In 2000, the average daily use was approximately 1.9 mgd or about 35% of its total permitted capacity. The BCRA has developed a Watershed and Wellhead Protection Program of its own within the larger Brodhead Watershed area ‹see map›. The Authority continually monitors its sources and its finished water supplies for both quality and quantity. Its annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) is distributed to its customers on a yearly basis. For more information visit www.brodheadcreekregionalauthority.us Borough of East Stroudsburg Water Department East Stroudsburg Borough operates its water system, the only government operated system in the Brodhead watershed. The system is supplied primarily from a reservoir on the headwaters of Sambo Creek. Approximately 900,000 to 1,000,000 gallons per day are drawn from that reservoir. In addition, two supplemental wells are available from the campus of East Stroudsburg University, drawn when needed. A well located in Dansbury Park provides the balance of the 1.2 million gallons per day used by the 3,650 customers of the system; a fourth well, also located at Dansbury Park, is now coming on line. The two largest customers of the system are East Stroudsburg University and Pocono Medical Center. Capacity available in the East Stroudsburg system is 2.2 million gallons per day. Pennsylvania American Water Company Pennsylvania American Water Company, an investor owned public, operates several water supply systems in the Mt. Pocono area: Pocono Country Place, Pocono Farms East, Summit Pointe, Pine Hill and Mt. Pocono Borough (formerly served by Fairview Water Company). Each of these is located partly or wholly in the Brodhead watershed. All systems are interconnected, so if a problem developed in one area, water could be provided from one of the other systems. For more information on PAWC call 800-565-7292, or visit them: www.pawc.com Pocono Country Place and Pocono Farms East are served by 4 wells which, combined, produce 614,000 gallons per day for residential and commercial use. The wells range from 175' to 700' deep. Water is provided to 3254 customers in developments along route 196, including Pocono Country Place, Pocono Farms East, Carriage Estates, and Whispering Glen. Summit Pointe is served by one well, 483' deep, located in the western portion of the Summit Pointe development, which produces 71,750 gallons per day for 331 customers. Pine Hill development is served by one well, 345' deep, located in the northern portion of the development, which produces 69,000 gallons per day for 182 customers. Mt. Pocono Borough (portions of) and the Pocono Mountain Industrial Park are served by one well and a treatment station located in the Industrial Park which produces an average of 198,150 gallons per day for 558 residential, commercial and industrial customers. The well is 438' deep. PAWC is developing a new well north of Mt. Pocono along Route 611 on the former Coolbaugh Township Municipal Building property. That well will be one of the major water sources for these interconnected systems and is expected to deliver 500 gallons per minute. Several self-supplied developments in the Borough operate their own public water systems, independent of PAWC. These include: Limekiln Manor, Oakview Terrace Condo Association and Snow Shoe Condominium Association. Note: Summit Pointe, Pine Hill, the Pocono Mountain Industrial Park and Mt. Pocono Borough have sewer service provided by the Mt. Pocono Municipal Authority which operates a sewage treatment plant located on and discharging to Forest Hills Run, a tributary of Paradise Creek. Permitted discharge to Forest Hills Run is 660,000 gallons per day. Summit Pointe and portions of the Borough are located in the Forest Hills Run watershed. Pine Hills is located in the Devils Hole Creek watershed. The Industrial Park (and well) is located in the Tobyhannna watershed. National Utilities Company, an investor owned public utility with offices in Scranton, PA, operates two water systems in the Brodhead watershed, the Mountainhome Division and the Hamilton Division. Company President, Gary Nawrocki, can be reached at 570-346-5544. Mountainhome Division operates two wells located at the old reservoir site and supplies water to 547 customers. Hamilton Division draws water from two wells, one locate on Anchorage Road and one on Lily Road, and supplies 500 customers in the Saylorsburg area. Pocono-Jackson Water Authority Pocono-Jackson Water Authority was formed to provide water to homeowners in Jackson Township when their private wells were contaminated by the Butz Landfill, a Superfund site. The Authority provides water to 47 customers from 3 wells located at the base of Big Pocono Mountain in Jackson Township. Resort Communities and Private Developments Many residential communities and resort communities are served by public water systems operated by the resort, a homeowners association or a private investor. Some of these are: Buck Hill Water Company - Service is provided to 279 customers; water sources are Buck Hill Creek, Big Spring and Well #2. Skytop Lodge - water supply is 4 wells; service is provided to 45 customers. Pocono Manor Inn - water supply is two springs; service is provided to 45 customers. Village at Camelback - operates as three separate service areas:
Penn Estates Utilities, Inc (owned by Utilities, Inc. Northbrook,
IL.)
For more information on threats to drinking water, click here |
This site is developed and maintained by the
Brodhead Watershed Association.
Have any questions?
We'd be glad to help.