2021 Drinking Water Quality Report

Overview

The Bellwood Borough Authority (BBA) has released its 2021 Drinking Water Quality Report. The report confirms that the water supply meets all federal and state health standards. The BBA purchases treated water from the Altoona Water Authority (AWA) and distributes it to customers in Bellwood.

Water Source and Treatment

• Source: The primary source is the Bellwood Reservoir, located at the base of Blandburg Mountain in Antis Township.
• Treatment Process: Raw water is drawn from the reservoir and treated at the AWA Bellwood Filtration Plant. The process includes:
  • Ozone: Used to destroy bacteria (such as Giardia and Cryptosporidia) and reduce organic materials.
  • Sand Filters: Used to remove sediment and particles.
  • Corrosion Inhibitor: Added to prevent the water from reacting with distribution pipes and customer plumbing.
  • Chlorine: Applied for disinfection during transport through the distribution system.

Water Quality and Contaminants

The report details monitoring results for regulated contaminants detected between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.

Key Findings

• Turbidity: The highest level detected was 0. 15 NTU (Limit: 0. 3). This is attributed to soil runoff.
• Disinfection Byproducts:
  • Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM): Detected at 31. 7 ppb (Limit: 80).
  • Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): Detected at 2. 09 ppb (Limit: 60).
  • Both are by-products of drinking water disinfection.
• Inorganic Contaminants:
  • Barium: Detected at 0. 0417 ppm (Limit: 2. 0).
  • Bromate: Detected at 1. 14 ppb (Limit: 10).
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Ethylbenzene and Xylenes were detected in the 3rd Quarter of 2021.
• Lead and Copper: No sites tested above the Action Level (AL) for Lead or Copper in 2019 sampling. Contamination sources are identified as corrosion of household plumbing.

Vulnerable Populations

The report notes that some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants than the general population. This includes:

• Immuno-compromised persons (e. g. , cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients).
• People with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders.
• The elderly and infants.

These individuals are advised to consult their health care providers regarding drinking water safety.

Source Water Assessment

A source water assessment completed in 2003 identified potential risks to the Bellwood Reservoir intakes, including:

• High Risk: Contamination from transportation corridors and illegal dumping.
• Little-to-High Risk: Surface coal mining, abandoned mine land, and natural gas wells within the watershed.

Contact Information

Residents with questions or concerns can contact the Bellwood Borough Authority:

• Contact Person: Mr. Rick Caswell
• Address: 516 Main Street, Bellwood, PA 16617
• Phone: (814) 742-8591
• Email: rcaswell@bellwoodborough. com
• Public Meetings: Held on the third Monday of each month at 6 PM in the Bellwood Borough Municipal Building.