Pathogens and Point Source

The Pathogens and Point Source Workgroup tracks progress and shares information about drinking water, wastewater, technological improvements, regulatory updates, and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Additionally, the workgroup provides technical assistance and trainings to utilities in the Schuylkill River Watershed. 

Workgroup Co-Chairs: Joe Hebelka (PA Department of Environmental Protection), Amanda Obosnenko (Aqua), and Will Whalon (Philadelphia Water Department)


Source Water Protection Week 2024 is September 29 through October 5th

Berks County Source Water Protection Program and Schuylkill Action Network Partners have developed a social media toolkit to support smaller utilities in highlighting the importance of source water protection in our communities.


Additional Resources:

Projects

2016 Water Suppliers Forum

On April 14, 2016, SAN partners, including water suppliers, participated in the Water Supplier Forum. The forum focused on discussing emerging contaminants and learning about the Miller Chemical fire case study. From hearing about the Miller Chemical fire, participants learned what went wrong and how it could have been prevented.

2018 Schuylkill Water Utility Forum

On Wednesday, September 12, 2018, the SAN held the Schuylkill Water Utility Forum focusing on emerging contaminants of concern. 

The forum consisted of roughly 30 participants - a mix of water utilities, government agencies, and nonprofit partners.

Below are the presentations available for download.

2020 Water Utility Forum

The SAN Pathogens & Point Source Workgroup hosted the free 2020 Water Utility Forum on January 28, 2020, where we shared information about emerging contaminants (specifically PFAS), regulatory updates, risk communication and emergency management, nutrient management planning, compliance, and resource opportunities such as technical assistance programs.

2024 Southeast PA Water Utility Forum

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the SAN held the 2024 Southeast PA Water Utility Forum at Albright College. 

The forum consisted of roughly 30 participants - a mix of water utilities, government agencies, and nonprofit partners.

Presenters included

Delaware Valley Early Warning System

The Delaware Valley Early Warning System (EWS) is an integrated monitoring, communication, and notification system used to provide advanced warning of water quality events to water suppliers and industrial intake operators in the Schuylkill and Delaware River watersheds. 

Philly Rivercast

The Philly Rivercast is a forecast of water quality that predicts potential levels of pathogens in the Schuylkill River between Flat Rock Dam and Fairmount Dam i.e. between Manayunk and Boathouse Row.

Related Documents

Name Upload Date Download View

What Not to Put Down the Drain Fact Sheet

March 12, 2018 Download View

PWD Source Water Presentation Kelly Anderson

September 24, 2018 Download View

UCMR4 Michelle Hoover EPA Region 3

September 24, 2018 Download View

AWWA Federal Regulatory Horizon Adam Carpenter

September 24, 2018 Download View

PFAS Charles Hertz Aqua

September 24, 2018 Download View

Cyanotoxins Fred Lubnow Princeton Hydro

September 24, 2018 Download View

PFAS Action Team Initial Report

December 5, 2019 Download View

Early Warning System Flood Forecast Viewer_Aug2022_KellyAnderson

Presentation shared by Philadelphia Water Department's Kelly Anderson on the Delaware Valley Early Warning System Flooding Forecast Viewer

August 26, 2022 Download View

EPA 2022 Small Municipal System Symposium Flyer

September 10, 2022 Download View

June 10 Flat Rock Dam and Manayunk Canal Improvement Project

September 10, 2024 Download View

Source Water Protection Week Social Media Guide

September 10, 2024 Download View

2024 Southeast PA Water Utility Agenda

September 18, 2024 Download View

2024 Utility Forum_UMJA Community Engagement Presentation

September 30, 2024 Download View

2024 Utility Forum_Hayden Short Pennvest Presentation

September 30, 2024 Download View

2024 Utility Forum_Ammon PADEP Wastewater Technical Assistance Program

September 30, 2024 Download View

Did you know?

There are over 3,500 permitted discharger, nearly 80 large sewage treatment plants, and thousands of household septic systems in the watershed.