New Oxford officials still wary of Conewago Creek water
Photo by Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record/Sunday News
(New Oxford) — New Oxford Municipal Authority officials expressed hesitance Tuesday toward opening the company’s main intake valve, located on the Conewago Creek, before water safety monitoring equipment can be installed.
The valve has remained closed since the Miller Chemical fire June 8, which caused contamination to leak into the waterway, killing more than 10,000 fish.
Since it was closed, the company has been purchasing water from Gettysburg Municipal Authority, Hanover Water Department and York Water Company to supplement its drinking supplies.
The Department of Environmental Protection’s recent test results from the creek water have come back normal, but plant manager Tom Beamer recommended that the board err on the side of caution and keep the valve closed until the real-time water monitoring system is installed.
The system, which tests the water for several items, including nitrates and pH levels, is expected to be delivered next week but will take some time to be installed, Assistant Facilities Manager Adam Winters told the board.
“If you want to open it up now, you probably could, but there are still fluctuations in pH levels,” Beamer said to the board. “I’m reluctant without the online equipment. The stream is still relatively delicate.”
Beamer told the board that there was an unusual spike in pH levels from July 4-5 and — had the valve been open — water would have been unsafe to drink.
With the monitoring system in place, any unsafe spike in any pH level or chemical compound would immediately shut down the entire plant and prevent contamination from entering the drinking water supplies, Winters said.
Until the monitoring device is installed, the authority is asking New Oxford borough customers to voluntarily reduce water intake by 5 percent.
Related Links
Miller Chemical identifies products stored at plant
Building removal begins, other cleanup updates
More Miller Chemical fire coverage
This article comes to us through a partnership between the Evening Sun and WITF.
Mosaic is WITF’s home for all things arts, culture and lifestyle.
We spotlight and uplift the creators around us, featuring amazing artists, musicians, authors, chefs, dancers, designers, photographers, and more.
