Published Tuesday, November 5, 2002
to dry town
conservation urged
Herald Staff Writer
A water pump problem that began in Greenville last week turned into an emergency Monday. Greenville schools were closed today, Thiel College students were told not to take showers, an Army Reserve unit from Grove City brought drinking water to town and residents were told to conserve water and to boil any they do use.
A problem with clarifiers at the treatment plant was identified between 2 and 2:30 p.m., said Greenville Municipal Authority board Chairman Jack Dershimer. By 8 p.m., the water level in the tank on the west side of town was down to a foot and a half; its normal level is about 22 feet, said Maria Kerekes, water authority office manager. The water level dropped because the treatment plant had to shut down while workers cleaned its filtration system, she said, explaining that "debris from the river has plugged the filtration system."
The problem was caused by a backup rental pump, which was brought in Wednesday to hold things together until a new pump could be installed, Mrs. Kerekes said, describing the clogging debris as "a small amount." A new pump, which came in Monday, was also being installed while workers tried to get the clarifiers, or pre-filters, cleared out.
In the meantime, Greenville residents were told to boil all their water before using it and to use it sparingly.
Local business owners and residents were concerned about the situation.
"I had to close up early. We were told we had to boil the water, though they (water authority) never came out and said it was contaminated," said Tracey Ischo of Jamestown, who owns Carini's Restaurant on Main Street. The business closed at 7 p.m., two hours early.
"But we couldn't serve it, because the water is directly hooked up to our pop and coffee machines, and a lot of restaurants are like that. It definitely affected our business tonight," she said.
"The water came out real nasty yesterday. It had a really strong chlorine smell and was foggy looking," Gena Dulay of 109 S. Mercer St. said Monday evening. "Last week it was bad. I thought it was from iron in the pipes. It was dirty." Her four children have had problems with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea ever since they moved to town a month and a half ago from Pittsburgh, and she wondered if it was related to the drinking water. She recently began buying bottled water.
Elizabeth Hildebrand, director of public relations at Thiel College, said students are not to take showers or baths until the emergency is over, and to flush only solid waste.
Of greater concern was the threat of a fire in Greenville. The lack of water pressure would reduce the effectiveness of sprinkler systems and though refilling the tanker trucks is possible from the Shenango River and the old municipal authority location on Hadley Road, it would take time, said Greenville Fire Chief Steve Thompson.
"If there is even a slight hot odor, don't hesitate to call the fire department," he said, explaining that firefighters don't have quick access to water to handle a large-scale fire. Thompson said West Salem Township, Fredonia, Jamestown and Hempfield Township firefighters were standing by in case of an emergency.
He also said that once the pump is installed, it will still take time to replenish the water supply.
Mrs. Kerekes said that they hoped to have the clarifiers cleaned out and the new pump installed by 10 p.m. The new pump should have the capacity to move about 1,200 to 1,400 gallons through the system, she said.
The new pump, which was ordered in June, is replacing one of two intake pumps that broke down the last weekend of October.
"Water Buffaloes," which are tanker trucks filled with drinking water were brought to town Monday night by a Grove City-basedd Army Reserve unit. The tanker will be stationed at the fire station on East Avenue today for residents who need drinking water, said Greenville-West Salem Township police.
For more information, call the Greenville Fire Department at (724) 588-3111.