During the open portion of the meeting, concerned residents from Ashland borough and Butler Township voiced their grievances regarding water discoloration and the presence of dirt particles in their faucets and filters.
Benesch Engineer Jennifer Kowalonek provided an update on a recent water main break.. On Sunday, September 17th, 2023, in the 300 Block of Centre Street, a water main break was reported at approximately 1:50 am. The repair was made by 7:00 pm on the same day. The incident necessitated a system-wide boil advisory due to a substantial loss in water pressure. Approximately half of the 1 million-gallon water tank located atop Ashland was drained during the emergency. The main valve supplying water to Ashland was temporarily closed during repairs, impacting a significant portion of customers who experienced water loss. Following the repair, a thorough system flush was conducted until September 18th to minimize debris. The system-wide boil advisory was officially lifted on September 20th, 2023.
Kowalonek also proposed the adoption of Geographic Information System (GIS) software to comprehensively map the borough's water system lines and its various components, including valves and hydrants. The authority voted unanimously to allocate $8,000 for Benesch to populate the map with essential assets, a measure aimed at improving the management of the water infrastructure.
Reservoir operator Tutko presented test results from August 28th, 2023, indicating elevated levels of iron and manganese in the water supply. Subsequent testing, however, showed that these levels returned to within the acceptable range, as prescribed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Borough Manager Ray Jones also provided an update to the board regarding a new notification system implemented to inform residents of water issues and other critical alerts. This new system, named "Regroup," is slated to become fully operational later in the week, enhancing the community's communication channels.
During the public segment of the meeting, Borough Resident Rick White drew attention to the recent formation of a steering committee to explore the possibility of establishing a Regional Police Force in conjunction with Butler Township. White posed a thought-provoking question to the board, suggesting that a similar investigative committee could be appointed to assess the potential benefits of outsourcing the borough's water system. However, the board did not offer a response to his query.
The Ashland Area Municipal Authority continues its regular monthly meetings, convening on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 pm.