Southampton Water Safe Despite DEP Letters, Municipal Authority Says

Upper Southampton residents residents recently received a letter from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding contaminants in the water.

Upper Southampton Municipal Authority Manager Herb Schoell said many people have been calling his office in a panic, but there really is nothing to worry about. 

Schoell said the Municipal Authority is required to run quarterly tests on the water it receives from Philadelphia as well as the water that comes from its own wells for various contaminants.  

"Last quarter, one of our wells was down, and it was not able to be tested within the allotted time period," he explained. "The DEP says that technically this is a violation."

Schoell said that when violations occur, the DEP issues letters directly to affected customers.

"Unfortunately, since the letter comes straight from the DEP it is not exactly the words we would have chosen to clearly explain the situation," he said. "If you read the letter closely, you will see there is no problem." 

Schoell said residents should not be concerned, as there is nothing wrong with the water in Upper Southampton.