Westmoreland authority approves solar power contract
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County plans to harness the sun's energy to help control algae and manganese in the authority's Beaver Run Reservoir north of Delmont.
The authority board Wednesday approved a $200,163 contract with Medora Corp. of Dickinson, N.D., to provide 10 Solarbee solar-powered water circulation units for the reservoir.
Jack Ashton, assistant authority manager, said the units will be placed near the reservoir's intake area as a way to curb blue-green algae that has been spreading in the water. According to Ashton, cleaner water in the 11 billion-gallon reservoir has led to rising pH levels, creating a more alkaline environment conducive to the algae growth.
He said the algae, when it dies, releases manganese.
Ashton said use of the Solarbee units is expected to reduce the amount of chlorine and other chemicals the authority has been using to manage the levels of algae and manganese.
The Solarbee units will draw water from lower elevations to the surface of the reservoir, “creating a big recirculation of the water.” He said that should allow other types of algae on the water's surface to compete with the objectionable blue-green variety that can float between different water levels.
Last fall, higher than normal manganese levels caused discoloration of water the authority supplied to customers in northern Westmoreland and southern Armstrong counties. But authority and state officials said the levels did not amount to a health hazard or violation.
According to the state Department of Health, exposure to large amounts of manganese can harm the nervous system and result in behavioral changes or impair body movements.
Ashton said the authority is required to maintain manganese levels at no more than 0.05 milligrams per liter of water but usually limits it to 0.01 milligrams.
The Solarbee units will be installed for a one-year trial. Ashton said state environmental officials required that initial trial since the technology is in use at less than a handful of sites in Pennsylvania.
If the units perform up to expectations, Ashton projected, they could reduce the authority's annual chemical costs by about $30,000.
The authority awarded contracts for electrical work at its Indian Creek water treatment plant — $460,000 to Westmoreland Electrical Service of Tarrs and $77,950 to TP Electric Inc. of Acme.
The authority agreed to purchase a 5-ton dump truck from Kenworth of Pennsylvania in New Stanton at a cost of $109,676 under a state bidding program. It will replace a truck with engine problems.
Jeff Himler is a staff writer.
