SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The state Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed the borough's statement that its water is safe to drink despite having an unusual taste and odor.
In a fax forwarded to The Republican-Herald Friday afternoon, borough officials said the water is safe to drink and has passed all DEP analytical requirements.
However, the area inspector for DEP was off Friday and did not return until Tuesday.
Colleen Connolly, a spokeswoman for the department, said Friday DEP was unaware of the community's water issue. She said the borough is not required to contact DEP for testing unless the water has been contaminated.
On Tuesday, Amanda Witman, a spokeswoman for DEP, explained the situation in an email.
"The taste and odor issue began as a result of the Schuylkill Haven Borough Authority filling their tanks in preparation for Hurricane Sandy for storage in case of a power loss," Witman said. "During that time there was a pollen or algae growth on their reservoir. This left a large quantity of finished water with the taste and odor in storage."
She also said the water is safe to drink.
"The authority is aggressively treating new water for the taste and odor issue," Witman said. "The water is potable, it just doesn't smell too good because of an early reservoir turnover. The system reacted as soon as the issue was noted. DEP has taken samples for algae and organic material and are awaiting the results."
Witman said the tests were taken last week and confirmed algae was responsible for the taste and smell and that it will work its way out of the system within the next several days. She also said the inspector told her the situation is not uncommon, especially at this time of the year, because of the reservoir turnover.
Schuylkill Haven provides its residents with water, electricity, sewer and refuse collection. The borough owns the dams, which pull water from the reservoir and stores it in the Tumbling Run Water Plant.
According to the borough's website - www.schuylkillhaven.org - the water is thoroughly tested and cleaned to meet DEP regulations and is distributed to residents of Schuylkill Haven, Cressona and North Manheim Township.