By Wallace McKelvey, Patriot News, WMckelvey@pennlive.com

We take two things for granted every time we turn on a faucet: First, water will come out. Second, it won't make us sick.

In Pennsylvania, we can no longer make such assumptions. For years, inspectors charged with ensuring safe drinking water struggled to do their jobs amid repeated budget cuts. That meant many water utilities received little to no scrutiny.

And the utilities themselves struggled to keep up with the cost to maintain and operate their delivery and treatment systems. Combined, these factors risk the health of some 10 million Pennsylvanians who rely on public water systems.

"Tapped Out" examines the failures of Pennsylvania's aging water infrastructure and the regulatory system designed to protect the public.

Click Here to read the full special investigation report from the Patriot News.

[Note: On Thursday the Independent Regulatory Review Commission approved a final regulation increasing Safe Drinking Water Program permit fees that will generate about $7.5 million in new revenue and allow DEP to hire up to 33 additional staff for the program to address major deficiencies identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The regulation will become final after review by the Office of Attorney General and publication in the PA Bulletin.]

Comment

“This story does an excellent job pointing out the issues in DEP's Safe Drinking Water Program in a thoughtful way quoting people that really know what the deal is.

“Unfortunately, this same thing is happening in ALL of DEP's programs, that is going through triage to figure out what the most important thing DEP has to do to protect public health and the environment and drop the rest because DEP simply just doesn't have the resources.

“These issues can be addressed with the right leadership.  This year Gov. Wolf asked the General Assembly to provide additional funding for 35 DEP positions and he got it.

“While DEP's support from the General Fund is just above 1994-95 levels, this is a start and more targeted requests need to be made, particularly in programs related to protecting and restoring water quality and meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup requirements.”

-- David Hess, former DEP Secretary

NewsClips:

Patriot News: Tapped Out, How PA's Drinking Water Program Is Hurting You; Lack Of

Resources Is Putting Drinking Water For 10 Million People In PA At Risk

McKelvey: More Money For Drinking Water Inspections Coming, Is It Enough?

McKelvey: Auditor General Says He’s Open To Examining Oversight Of Water Systems

Editorial: PA Has Failed On Guaranteeing Clean Water, Here’s How To Fix It 

Pittsburgh Water Authority Tops Mid-Year Deadline For Lead Line Replacements

Steelton Mulls Privatizing Water, Sewer System

Wolf Pledges Millions To Tackle Lead Paint In Philadelphia Schools

Related Stories:

Senate, House Send Budget Bills To Wolf, Includes Funding For 35 New DEP Positions, Few Other Changes

EQB Approves Final Drinking Water Fee Increases, Now Moves Through Final Review

EPA Still Concerned About DEP Drinking Water Program, Urges Temporary Funding To Hire Staff Sooner

EPA: DEP Lacks Resources To Enforce Minimum Federal Safe Drinking Water Regs

[Posted: June 26, 2018]

7/2/2018