Water Quality Report

Overview

The Hollidaysburg Borough Authority (HBA) has released its 2024 Water Quality Report, titled "Quality on Tap." This document details the safety and source of drinking water for residents. The report confirms that HBA had no monitoring violations in 2024, with the exception of a Total Alkalinity issue that was being addressed.

Water Source and Treatment

• Source: HBA is a consecutive system of the Altoona Water Authority (AWA). It purchases treated water from AWA.
• Reservoirs: The primary source is a blend of water from the Muleshoe Reservoir (owned by HBA) and the Plane Nine Reservoir (owned by AWA). Both are located on Cresson Mountain in Blair County.
• Treatment Process: Raw water is treated at the AWA Plane Nine Filtration Plant. The process includes:
  • Ozone: Used to destroy bacteria and organic materials.
  • Filtration: Water passes through sand filters to remove sediment.
  • Corrosion Inhibitor: Added to protect pipes and plumbing.
  • Chlorine: Applied for disinfection during distribution.

2024 Water Quality Results

The report includes a comprehensive table of contaminants tested. Key findings include:

• Microbiological Contaminants:
  • Total Coliform Bacteria: Detected in 0.71% of samples (within the <1% limit).
  • E. Coli Bacteria: Not detected (ND).
  • Turbidity: Ranged from 0.02 to 0.15 NTU (well below the 0.3 NTU limit).
• Inorganic Contaminants:
  • Copper: Detected at 0.104 ppm (Limit: 1.3 ppm).
  • Lead: Detected at 0.0 ppb (Limit: 15 ppb).
  • Flouride: Detected at 0.074 ppm (Limit: 2.0 ppm).
  • Nitrate: Detected at 0.682 ppm (Limit: 10 ppm).
• Disinfection Byproducts:
  • TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes): Highest annual average was 44.60 ppb (Limit: 80 ppb).
  • Haloacetic Acids: Highest annual average was 9.85 ppb (Limit: 60 ppb).
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Carbon Tetrachloride and Ethylbenzene were detected in trace amounts but remained within safety limits.

Lead Information

• Source: Lead in drinking water primarily comes from service lines and home plumbing, not the water utility.
• Safety Tip: To minimize exposure, residents should flush their tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking if it has been sitting for several hours.
• Testing: Residents concerned about lead can have their water tested or contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Contact and Meetings

• Contact Person: Amy Hazlett, Borough of Hollidaysburg.
• Phone: 695-7543 (Weekdays, 8 AM to 4 PM).
• Email: ahazlett@hollidaysburgpa.org.
• Website: www.hollidaysburgpa.org.
• Address: 401 Blair Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
• Public Meetings: Held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers.