Ashland officials have responded to residents voicing their concerns about water issues within the borough.
A growing wave of discontent has swept through the Borough of Ashland and the Fountain Springs areas of Butler Township, as residents raise alarms about the quality of water flowing through their taps. Social media platforms have become a battleground for voicing these concerns, which have spilled over into council meetings.
Outpouring support for these complaints has manifested in dozens of comments across various online groups, showcasing the extent of the problem. The prevailing sentiment is that of frustration, as locals grapple with the persistence of discolored water.
During a council meeting convened on August 9th, 2023, apprehensive residents made their voices heard, sharing anecdotes of their water woes. In response, Borough Solicitor Jack Price directed their constituents' attention to the Municipal Authority, the body tasked with managing water resources and infrastructure. They were also informed of the next meeting with Municipal Authority on Monday, August 28th, 2023.
Ray Jones, Ashland Borough Manager, offered some reassurance to the worried residents. In an interview, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation and affirmed that the borough has been actively engaged in mitigating the problem. Jones underscored the fact that the prevalent issue of discolored water is linked to elevated levels of iron and maganese in the water supply. These elements tend to surge during this period of the year, stemming from the reservoir that supplies both the Township and the Borough.
Jones elaborated that immediate actions were taken in the aftermath of the initial reports of tainted water approximately two weeks ago. The borough swiftly implemented consistent flushing regimen throughout the system. This concerted effort is aimed at improving water quality.
Jones says the issue has also been reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.