Bellwood

Pennsylvania

Documents

2023 Drinking Water Quality Report

View original document →

Overview

The Bellwood Borough Authority (BBA) has released its 2023 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 distribution.
  • Interconnection: The BBA system is connected to the AWA system, allowing for water supply from other AWA sources during emergencies or droughts.

Contaminant Monitoring Results

The BBA and AWA monitor for regulated contaminants. The following substances were detected in 2023:

Turbidity

  • Highest Level Detected: 0. 16 NTU (measured on 2/24/23).
  • Status: No violation.

Disinfection Residuals and Byproducts

  • Chlorine: Detected at levels between 1. 1–1. 47 ppm (BBA Distribution) and 0. 66–2. 25 ppm (AWA Entry Points).
  • Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM): Detected at 29. 8 ppb (measured on 9/11/23).
  • Haloacetic Acids (HAA5): Detected at 7. 7 ppb (measured on 12/11/23).
  • Status: No violations for any disinfection byproducts.

Inorganic Contaminants

  • Barium: Detected at 0. 041 ppm.
  • Bromate: Detected at 1. 13 ppb (Highest RAA).
  • Copper: Detected at 0. 032 ppm (90th Percentile).
  • Lead: Detected at 1. 55 ppb (90th Percentile).
  • Status: No violations for inorganic contaminants.

Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOCs)

  • Ethylbenzene: Detected at 1. 9 ppb (2023) and 11. 2 ppb (2021).
  • Xylenes (Total): Detected at 0. 0101 ppm (2023) and 0. 0911 ppm (2021).
  • Status: No violations for VOCs.

Unregulated Contaminants (UCMR4)

  • Data from 2020 shows detections for Manganese, HAA5, HAA6Br, HAA9, and TOC. These are monitored for information purposes only and do not have enforceable limits.

Source Water Assessment

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

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

Vulnerable Populations

Certain groups may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. These include:

  • 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 healthcare providers regarding drinking water safety, particularly concerning Cryptosporidium.

Contact Information

  • Authority: Bellwood Borough Authority
  • 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.
← Back to Documents