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WATER:
The Borough has provided public water to it's residents since 1929. An area north of the Borough was developed into a 'water shed' region since a number of springs surfaced in that area. A large reservoir was installed below the 'water shed' area to store water for distribution. This storage facility was a poured concrete structure below ground with a capacity of 270,000 gallons. The reservoir has a center wall that forms two separate compartments. This reservoir is still in use today.
The initial distribution system consisted of a single 8" pipe from the reservoir south on Church Street to Main Street. From there it was distributed to residents along the route. While early records are not as readily available as they are today, the system continued to expand through the years.
Not too long after the system was first built, the need for more water than the springs could deliver on a regular basis forced the town fathers to drill a well to supplement the spring's supply of water. The system operated for many years utilizing the springs during the wet season, and the well whenever the springs did not generate a sufficient supply of water.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
1,4-DIOXANE WAS DETECTED IN THE BALLY BOROUGH WATER SYSTEM
The Borough of Bally is required by the PA. Department of Environmental Protection, to send this notice to all users of the Bally water system every 90 days until the situation is resolved.
1,4-Dioxane, an unregulated contaminant, was recently detected in your drinking water. Although this is not an emergency, as a customer, you have a right to know what is in your drinking water, what you should do, and what is being done to investigate the situation.
Bally Borough does not routinely monitor for unregulated contaminants such as 1,4-Dioxane. At the request of EPA, samples were collected on February 19, 2003. These samples showed levels of 1,4-Dioxane in the range of 20 to 50 parts per billion (ppb). 1,4-Dioxane does not have an enforceable maximum contaminant level (MCL) for drinking water. Instead, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) defers to the Superfund maximum regulatory authority limits developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
EPA classifies 1,4-Dioxane as a probable human carcinogen. This means that there is sufficient evidence in animals of a link to cancer, but inadequate or no evidence in humans. EPA has set the following health advisory for 1,4-Dioxane:
Superfund Remediation Goal = 6 ppb (The concentration of the chemical in drinking water corresponding to an increased estimated 30 year cancer risk of 1 in 1,000,000. This means if you consume 2 liters of this water daily for 30 years your cancer risk would increase by 1 in 1,000,000)
What should I do?
This is not an immediate risk. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. Point of use treatment devices such as filters and carbon do not remove 1,4-Dioxane. If you want to limit your exposure to the 1,4-Dioxane in the municipal water supply, you should use an alternative (e.g. bottled) water supply. However, you do not need to use an alternative water supply. If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
What is 1,4-Dioxane?
1,4-Dioxane is used as a stabilizer for chlorinated solvents such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). The chemical is also used as a solvent for cellulose, resins, oils and waxes and can be found in some personal hygiene products such as shampoo and bubble bath.
What is being done?
Personnel from Bally Borough, the EPA and DEP and American Household Inc. (F/K/A Sunbeam Corporation) are involved in an ongoing investigation and are evaluating various options. Although it is not required, American Household Inc. is providing bottled water to consumers who want to limit their exposure to the 1,4-Dioxane in the municipal water supply. The Borough will continue to keep residents informed through the quarterly newsletter, unless there is information that is time sensitive, then a special mailing will be done. At this point, American Household is in the process of evaluating a test well outside the Borough as a potential new water source for the Borough.
For more information, please contact Andrea Delo at 610-845-2351.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
SEWER:
Prior to 1969 sewage waste within the Borough was handled by on-site septic systems. In 1969, thanks to Federal financial aide and low interest loans, the Borough installed a sewer collection system, and a sewer treatment facility. The original Treatment Plant had a capacity of 200,000 gallons per day, and treated all properties within the Borough. In the seventies the Plant was modified to add filtration to the treatment process due to an increase in quality standards of the stream that we discharged into. This modification did not increase our treatment capacity.
In 1996 the need for additional capacity required the Borough to increase our treatment capacity from the original 200,000 gallons per day to the current 500,000 gallons per day. The cost of this renovation amounted to just over 2.4 million dollars. The neighboring township assumed a one-third interest in the debt in return for 100,000 gallons per day capacity in our plant. The design of the up-graded Plant will allow for increased capacity as future needs occur without spending additional dollars for the increase. Our Plant should serve our needs for many years to come.
Our water and sewer systems are operated by our staff. Many tests are performed in our 'in house' lab. In addition to these tests, many tests are also run for us at an out-side laboratory.
For a number of years now we have been conducting tours of our Sewer Treatment Plant for science students from the Boyertown Area Senior High School.
For additional regulations and rate information on either water or sewer please call the Borough Hall at 610-845-2351.
WATER & SEWER USER RATES
Water and Sewer Rates are set by Borough Council by Resolution. Below is the most recent Borough Council resolution 2005-6
BOROUGH OF BALLY
Resolution 2005-6
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF BALLU, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ESTABLISHING FEES OR CHARGES FOR MUNICIPAL WATER SERVICE AND PUBLIC SEWER SERVICE UPON THE OWNERS OF IMPROVED PREMISES WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF BALLY AT WHICH A WATER METER OR METERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of th Borough of Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the authority given to Council by Borough of Bally Ordinance No. 250, Borough Council does hereby establish fees and charges for water and sewer service with the Borough of Bally as follows:
SECTION 1 WATER CHARGES:
The water fees or charges for water supplied to consumers within the Borough of Bally to premises at which a water meter or meters have been installed, shall be and the same are hereby imposed and established for each quarterly period, or portion thereof, after the effective date of this Resolution as follows:
A. For each 5/8" to 3/4" water meter servicing a residential unit, for the first 10,000 gallons of water, or any part thereof, in each quarterly period....$ 31.74
This is the minimum charge for water and/or water services supplied through a 5/8" to 3/4" meter and must be paid for each quarterly period, or fraction thereof, during which water is available and is turned on for meters serving a residential unit, whether or not any water is actually used.
For the next 90,0000 gallons........$2.39 per 1000 gallons
For any gallons over 100,000 per quarter ........$1.87 per 1000 gallons
B. For each 5/8" to 3/4" water meter servicing a non residential unit, for the first 15,000 gallons of water, or
any part thereof, in each quarterly period....$ 55.20
This is the minimum charge for water and/or water services supplied through a 5/8" to 3/4" meter and must be paid for each quarterly period, or fraction thereof, during which water is available and is turned on for meters serving a residential unit, whether or not any water is actually used.
For the next 85,0000 gallons........$2.39 per 1000 gallons
For any gallons over 100,000 per quarter ........$1.87 per 1000 gallons
C. For each 1" water meter, for the first 15,000 gallons of water, or
any part thereof, in each quarterly period....$ 89.70
For the next 85,0000 gallons........$2.39 per 1000 gallons
For any gallons over 100,000 per quarter ........$1.87 per 1000 gallons
D. For each 1 1/2" water meter, for the first 15,000 gallons of water, or
any part thereof, in each quarterly period....$ 96.60
For the next 85,0000 gallons........$2.39 per 1000 gallons
For any gallons over 100,000 per quarter ........$1.87 per 1000 gallons
E. For each 2" water meter, for the first 15,000 gallons of water, or
any part thereof, in each quarterly period....$ 103.50
For the next 85,0000 gallons........$2.39 per 1000 gallons
For any gallons over 100,000 per quarter ........$1.87 per 1000 gallons
F. For each 3" water meter, for the first 15,000 gallons of water, or
any part thereof, in each quarterly period....$ 131.10
For the next 85,0000 gallons........$2.39 per 1000 gallons
For any gallons over 100,000 per quarter ........$1.87 per 1000 gallons
SECTION II SEWER CHARGES:
The sewer fees or charges for public sewer service to the owners of improved premises within the Borough of Bally shall be imposed on a quarterly basis and shall be based upon water consumption, as metered, upon the premises during each calendar quarter. Public sewer rates are hereby imposed as follows:
A. RESIDENTIAL UNITS: For each residential dwelling unit the minimum charge for public sewer service for up to 4,000 gallons of water consumption in a quarter....$115.00 per quarter
For all usage over 4,000 gallons per quarter........$8.63 per each 1,000 gallons
B. NON-RESIDENTIAL UNITS: For each non residential dwelling unit the minimum charge for public sewer service for up to 15,000 gallons of water consumption in a quarter....$184.00 per quarter
For all usage over 15,000 gallons per quarter........$8.63 per each 1,000 gallons
RESOLUTION 2008-8 ADOPTED DECEMBER 2, 2008 TO INCREASE THE SEWER CHARGES.
Billing Dates Usage Period
March 1st November, December, January
June 1st February, March, April
Sept. 1st May, June, July
Dec. 1st August, September, October
2008 Drinking Water Report
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