Pennsylvania has Issued a Drought Watch for Our Area
Note: the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has lifted the Drought Watch (as of October 17, 2022) per this press release here. BCWSA requests that all residents begin to conserve water whenever possible. Please refrain from any use of water that is not critical in nature, such as car washing. Lawn sprinklers or recreational use such as pools and fountains. For more information, click this Commonwealth of Pennsylvania article here.
Penndel Customers & BCWSA Water Main Project
BCWSA is planning on starting the water main replacement on Monday, September 19th, 2022 at 8:00am, possibly finishing up on the week of October 3rd, 2022. The Streets BCWSA will be replacing the water mains are Crescent Street from Hulmeville Avenue to Bellevue Avenue. Some delays should be expected and a portion of the roads, at times, may be closed to traffic. Residents will have access to and from their homes. If at all possible, please refrain from parking on the street in front of your home Monday through Friday from 800am to 4:00pm.
BCWSA Board of Directors Statement on Aqua Sale
The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority Board Chair John Cordisco issued the following statement regarding the Direction Received from the Bucks County Commissioners
Pebble Ridge Sewer Project Update
All pipe work is completed. BCWSA & Doylestown Township would like to thank all of the residents for their cooperation, and patience, during this project.
BCWSA Launches Home Repair Service Plans through HomeServe USA
As of July of 2021, Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA) started offering residential customers a new repair service program to help them save money and time on repairs to the water service line connecting their homes to the utility’s system. BCWSA’s new partner, HomeServe, is the leading provider of home emergency repair service programs. Residential homeowners can select from among HomeServe’s optional repair plans to cover the exterior water, sewer and in-home plumbing systems that aren’t usually included in their basic homeowners insurance plans.
Plumbers & Contractors Access to Authority Facilities
Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) has adopted regulations establishing requirements for all plumbers and contractors that connect or expose any BCWSA water and/or sanitary sewer facilities when performing work on private public water and public sewer lines that connect to Authority mains. The regulations require that all plumbers and contractors be licensed by the Authority to perform such work when it may impact, in any respect, Authority facilities, which said license will only be issued following the successful completion of a test being administered by the Authority. That requirement may be waived if the individual has an equivalent
$afeGuard Is Now HomeServe!
BCWSA recently concluded a lawsuit regarding it’s $afeGuard™ program. As a result BCWSA is pleased to announce that it has sold its interest in the program to, HomeServe, a national home warranty company. They are offering the same protections for similar pricing. BCWSA will transition your account if you wish to switch over to HomeServe. You will be receiving, or may have already received, a letter from HomeServe explaining the transition and the number to call to switch over. If you do not opt for the HomeServe program your BCWSA $afeGuard™ coverage will cease as of March 31st 2021.
AWWA Utility Advisory – Flushing Guidance & Checklist for Buildings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday distributed “Information on Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low or No Use” to assist building owners and managers in addressing water stagnation following extended closures due to the COVID-19 response. The material distributed by EPA also draws attention to “Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation” prepared and recently updated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The guidance says stagnant water presents optimal conditions for the growth of pathogens like Legionella. Stagnant water also changes water chemistry, which may increase corrosion and leaching of metals, including lead. “Turning on the water for immediate use after it has been stagnant can pose a risk to public health if not properly managed,” the guidance notes. “Additionally, turning on water after a prolonged period of non-use could disrupt pipe and plumbing scales to such an extent that microbial and chemical contaminants could be released into the water.” Please read this attached PDF for more information.
Ensure the Safety of Your Building Water System After A Prolonged Shutdown
If your business has been shutdown due to COVID-19 you probably have stagnant water in your building’s water system that could cause a problem when you reopen. Stagnant water can cause low levels of disinfectant leading to the growth and spread of Legionella and other bacteria. Depending on the type of interior plumbing, there is also the risk of increased levels of lead and copper. The CDC has provided guidance on steps to take before your business reopens to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases associated with water. A summary is below – you can find the full guidance on the CDC’s website. Develop a comprehensive water management program for your water system and all devices that use water Ensure your water heater is properly maintained and the temperature is correctly set. This may include draining the unit Flush your water system through all points of use (e.g. showers, sink faucets) Clean decorative water features such as fountains Ensure hot tubs/spas are safe for use Ensure cooling towers are clean and well-maintained Ensure safety equipment including fire sprinkler systems, eye wash station, and safety showers are clean and well-maintained Maintain your water system
Shutoffs Suspended Over Next 90 Days
Benjamin Jones, CEO of BCWSA, announced today that none of its customers will face a shutoff of water or sewer services over the next 90 days. “We want our customers to know that in these trying times they will have the guarantee of clean water and sewer service without interruption,” Jones said. “We are all in this fight together and we will come out of it together.” The policy covers all customers in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties.