Boil Water Advisory Continues In Parts Of Plumstead Township

PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP, PA — A boil water advisory continues in effect for customers served by the township's Northern Water System, according to an update posted Friday by the township.

"We understand that this situation is concerning, and we want to reassure residents that our team is working diligently to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible," the township posted on Friday afternoon. "The Northern Water System is comprised of five individual wells. This incident is limited to one well at the Country Green Treatment Plant, where an equipment failure resulted in a temporary loss of adequate disinfection."

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As a precaution, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) required the township to issue a Boil Water Advisory for customers in the affected service area, including the Country Green, Cabin Run and Landis Green, Timberly Farms, Plumstead Woods, Plumstead Preserve, Windtree, Holly Ridge, Lantern Ridge, and Plumstead Villa developments.

The advisory also includes the Plumsteadville commercial business area.

Until the advisory is lifted, all water used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil for at least five minutes before use or replaced with bottled water, the township advised.

"Residents often ask how long a Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect. While we are working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible, the timeline is governed by state health and safety requirements," the township said.

Before the advisory can be lifted, the DEP requires two consecutive days of satisfactory laboratory testing to confirm the water is safe. The water samples must also undergo an incubation period before they can be analyzed, the township said.

As a result, the typical minimum timeframe is three to five days, even after the equipment issue has been corrected, the township said, noting that "the requirements are in place to ensure the safety of our drinking water."

According to the township, the Plumstead Public Works Department has been testing the water, and the results have shown improved results, however, the advisory cannot be lifted until the DEP authorizes it.

"We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we work through the required process," the township said. "We will notify residents immediately through all available communication channels as soon as the DEP requirements have been met and the Boil Water Advisory has been officially lifted."

Residents and businesses on private on-lot wells are not affected. Additionally, the residents in the following neighborhoods are NOT affected: Belmont Farms, Carriage Hill, Country Ridge, Durham Ridge, Estates of Brookside, Fox Hunt Estates, Garden Village, Meetinghouse Estates, North Branch, Old Mill Estates, Owls Nest Farm, Patriots Ridge, Plumstead Chase, Summer Hill, Summer Meadow, and Tollgate Farms.

For the latest updates and additional information, visit plumstead.org or the My Plumstead Mobile