WTAE: Can You Drink Water From Roadside Springs?

On July 3, WTAE in Pittsburgh reported a story asking the question: Can you drink from roadside springs? and profiling a spring and swimming area sampling program run by the Mountain Watershed Association in Fayette County.

Whether water is clear or cloudy or smells good or bad is no indication of water quality, particularly e coli bacteria.

In addition, spring water conditions can change day-by-day based on whether it rains or not and nearby sources of pollution like abandoned mines, agriculture and gas and oil drilling operations.

The Department of Environmental Protection reports a study by Penn State Extension from 2013 to 2015 at various roadside springs across Pennsylvania, over 90% of the roadside springs that were sampled were found to be contaminated with total coliform bacteria. 

Samples were taken throughout the year and microbial water quality was poor, no matter what time of year the samples were taken.

DEP’s conclusion: “While it is the perception that roadside springs provide water that is natural and good tasting, that perception comes with a significant health risk.”

Visit DEP’s Roadside Springs webpage for more information.

NewsClip:

-- WTAE: Can You Drink Water From Pittsburgh-Area Roadside Springs?

[Posted: July 4, 2024]  PA Environment Digest