The Gettysburg Municipal Authority, Marsh Creek Filtration Plant, located in Adams County, recently became the newest member of the Partnership for Safe Water Program, a voluntary effort to provide safe drinking water.

 

Presently, the water system provides drinking water service to approximately 11,500 people. The Marsh Creek Filtration Plant is the first water plant in Adams County to join the Partnership for Safe Water.

 

The Partnership for Safe Water is made up of DEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Section American Water Works Association and other drinking water organizations. Its goal is to implement preventative measures that are based on optimizing treatment plant performance.

 

The program is specifically geared to identifying weaknesses in plant operation, design and administration that could lead to a breakthrough of waterborne disease-causing organisms into the finished water that is distributed to consumers. Correcting these weaknesses helps prevent waterborne disease outbreaks from pathogenic organisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

 

By participating in the program, the Gettysburg Municipal Authority is working to provide an additional measure of protection to drinking water consumers.

 

Currently, 106 surface water treatment plants serving more than 5.8 million people are now involved in Pennsylvania's Partnership program.

 

For more information, contact Kevin Anderson at 717-772-2261 or send email to: keanderson@state.pa.us.