Veolia Water has identified the cause of discolored water affecting residents in Dauphin and Perry counties, Pennsylvania. The issue, impacting areas such as Marysville Borough, Susquehanna Township, Lower Paxton Township, and Swatara Township, began between June 22 and July 6. According to Veolia, the discoloration resulted from naturally occurring minerals in the pipes, stirred up by three main breaks, a pump malfunction, and system-wide usage surges.
Despite the disruptions, routine water quality testing during this period showed no harmful bacteria, including E. Coli, as reported by Local 21 News. Veolia has addressed the issue through systematic hydrant flushing, which has resolved most of the discoloration. However, some areas may still experience discolored water.
Customers experiencing ongoing issues are encouraged to contact Veolia's customer service at 888-299-8972 for assistance and potential billing credits. The company first alerted the public to the issue on June 22 via a Facebook post, noting a minor drop in water pressure at the 6th Street Water Treatment Plant, which may have contributed to the problem, according to Local 21 News
Veolia's director of community relations, Leigh Ann Urban, explained that the combination of events led to the discoloration, and the company is working to ensure the water quality remains safe and clear, as noted by Local 21 News.