Pennsylvania American Water Sets Chloramine Transition Plan For West Shore Water System

Pennsylvania American Water recently announced that it will transition the water treatment process for its West Shore system to chloramine starting the week of July 12, 2010. The company needs to convert from chlorine to chloramine disinfection to comply with more stringent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards to reduce known health risks associated with disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in chlorinated drinking water.

With a 90-year track record as a proven and safe disinfectant used by drinking water systems across the United States and Canada, chloramine is a common treatment in which chlorine is mixed with a trace of ammonia. The EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection widely accept chloramination as a safe and effective treatment to prevent the waterborne transmission of parasites, which are capable of causing sickness. Most customers will not notice any changes following the transition, except some might notice the taste and odor of chlorine is reduced.

"Our primary concern is the public health and safety of our West Shore customers," said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. "Chloramine is a safe, proven disinfectant that has been reliably used to treat drinking water for decades. In fact, one in three Pennsylvanians today rely on water treated with chloramine for cooking, bathing and drinking, including residents in York, Lebanon, Reading and Philadelphia."

Pape added, "As a West Shore water customer myself, I have every confidence that this will be a smooth and safe transition."

Pennsylvania American Water will implement chloramination at its two water treatment facilities that serve more than 36,000 customers in Camp Hill, East Pennsboro, Enola, Fairview, Hampden, Lemoyne, Lower Allen, Newberry, New Cumberland, New Kingstown, Shiremanstown, Silver Spring, Upper Allen and Wormleysburg.

Pape noted that the company's plans have been thoroughly reviewed by regulators, environmental agencies and the courts since the company first notified customers about the transition in July 2007. In addition to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issuing the necessary permits, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and Pennsylvania Supreme Court have all found in the company's favor in every legal challenge filed by a small group of opponents.

As part of the settlement approved by the PUC, Pennsylvania American Water will notify all West Shore customers in writing at least three months prior to the implementation of chloramine treatment.

Prior to the transition, Pennsylvania American Water plans to flush its entire network of 600 miles of pipe serving West Shore customers. The company regularly flushes its distribution system to enhance water quality and service reliability, while enabling crews to monitor and maintain fire hydrants. Flushing is expected to begin in March 2010, weather permitting.

"To flush our entire system and minimize inconvenience to customers, crews will work primarily at night over the course of three to four months," said Joseph Woodward, manager of field operations for Central Pennsylvania. "Flushing involves opening hydrants and allowing water to flow freely, so we plan to start next spring and avoid the cold winter months."

Pennsylvania American Water provides additional information on chloramine, as well as Frequently Asked Questions and links to credible sources of information on the company's Web site at www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com.

About Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. For more information visit www.amwater.com.

SOURCE: Pennsylvania American Water