Ensure access to water and sanitation for all

Globally: The United Nations defines this goal in terms inadequate water supply and quality; lacking sanitation and hygiene; poor infrastructure and bad economics. All these factors negatively impact drought, disease, food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world.

Meadville: Clean water and sanitation is about confidence in our water source, monitoring, and safe and reliable delivery. Residents must be able to afford municipal water or manage their own groundwater if outside the reach of the utility.

Local Facts and Figures

What is the quality of Meadville’s water?

Meadville’s water is exceptionally clean. The Meadville Area Water Authority (MAWA) incurred 0 contamination violations in 2016. They have all of their data on legally monitored contaminants such as nitrates and lead, as well as chemicals they are not required by law to survey, like excess magnesium. (1) MAWA did incur 2 reporting violations for their chlorine residuals in April and November of 2016, however these were communication errors, since the chlorine levels remained where they should be.

What is Meadville’s municipal water source?

Meadville's municipal water is sourced "from seven wells that are located in an unnamed glacial outwash, sand and gravel aquifer. Each well is approximately 80 feet deep and each well is capable of producing one million gallons per day.” (1)

How safe is Groundwater?

Groundwater is at less risk of exposure to contaminants than a surface level source of water, like a lake or river. Outside the reach of Meadville's municipal water infrastructure, personal groundwater wells are a popular option due to the volume of groundwater in the area as well as the lack of legal requirements to drill your own source. Several businesses outside Meadville city limits which use personal groundwater wells often fail in both prevention of contaminants and reporting of contaminants. (2)

So what do we need to worry about?

Infrastructure integrity is a big focus. Meadville’s potable water infrastructure from MAWA’s facility to individual users care can be as many as 80 years old, dating back to its original installation and consisting of majority lead and copper. These pipes and valves are weak and highly vulnerable to leaking and decay. An unexpected environmental trigger such as a spill can set off a chain reaction of failures through the infrastructure. (3)

Local Strengths and Opportunities

    • The groundwater aquifer source reduces both energy consumption to filter as well as potential contaminants.
    • Meadville’s water filtration is strong and clean. The area has a very strong water quality record that they should be very proud of. (more info on aquifer/source of this information)
    • DEP office right in town
    • Area Water has a good record of not incurring violations for water quality

Local Weaknesses and Threats

    • Personal groundwater wells are a popular option in this area due to the abundance of groundwater in PA, and the lack of state government ability to oversee every well efficiently. Fecal coliform bacteria contamination is a constant threat.
    • The plumbing infrastructure of Meadville is as many as 80 years old in some places. These pipes are made of lead and copper, and have the potential to cause serious damage should a rise in acidity go undetected in the water.
    • The recent addition of fluoride to the municipal drinking water has been a contentious issue.

Case Studies

MADISON, WISCONSIN: removal/replacement of all lead infrastructure

GERMANY: active assessment of lead levels