MT. ZION PSD FACING CHALLENGES - State Issues Boil Water Advisory

(05/07/2012)
The State of WV Environmental Health Department has issued a boil water advisory for all Mt. Zion PSD customers effective May 3, 2012.

The issuance of the advisory is based on the PSD lacking a properly certified water operator.

"We have no assurance that the publics health is being protected," according to David Cobb, supervising engineer, related to not taking regular water samples.

The advisory affects old and expanded customers of the PSD, involving 504 meters, or 1174 customers hooked to the 50-mile system.

Despite significant work on the system, the PSD still has about 40% of its water unaccounted, according to the agency, likely due to leaks or poorly calibrated metering.

PSD board members have been facing challenging obstacles to get the new 21-mile extension in operation and correct multiple operational problems.

The agency said Mt. Zion PSD has 44 violations during the last three years.

The PSD, according to the agency, continues to have expenses that exceed income.

Significant deficiencies were found during a survey conducted on the system, including inadequate sampling, lack of certified operators, public notices not being distributed to customers, excessive unaccounted water loss, lack of active cross connection control program, and no back-up pumps for Phillips Run and No. 2 booster stations.

Officials said the Town of Grantsville water system has been producing high quality water, and is among the highest rated water systems among 30 plants in 14 counties.

See related story Boil Water Order