Oneida residents gather to discuss dirty water, proposed rate
0 Comments | Republican & Herald; Pottsville, Pa., Mar 17, 2010 | by MIA LIGHT
ONEIDA — Robert Corra said he changes the filter on his home drinking water system every day.
Nancy Rentschler said all of the clothing in her washing machine was stained dark brown and ruined by discolored water.
Elizabeth Mauer said she had to buy a new coffeemaker three times because impurities in the water ruins the machines.
William Fellin warned the residents to check the heating coils in their home hot water heaters because impurities in the water have burned out the coils for many village residents.
Holding a glass jar filled with a dark brown liquid, Fellin stood before a group of about 30 residents who came together at the village civic center Tuesday evening to discuss the water quality issue in Oneida.
Fellin said the murky contents of the jar came out of his home faucet.
“And on top of this, they’re looking for a rate increase,” William’s wife, Rose Marie Fellin, said.
“That’s what we’re drinking. That’s what we’re fighting against,” William Fellin said.
The Fellins organized the community meeting to inform fellow Oneida residents about their efforts to lodge a formal complaint against Aqua America in objection to its proposed rate increase.
Of the residents in attendance Tuesday night, William Fellin asked, “How many people here buy bottled drinking water?”
Nearly every person in the room raised a hand.
“Why do we have to go out and buy drinking water when we are paying for water?” William Fellin asked.
Water service to the 200 residents of Oneida is provided by Aqua America, which purchased the infrastructure system in 2004 from Double Diamond, owner of neighboring Eagle Rock Resort.
According to Aqua, an ongoing water system improvement project in Oneida is likely the cause of occasional disturbances in the village water system. But residents of Oneida say the water is undrinkable.
In November, Aqua filed a request with the state Public Utility Commission to increase water rates statewide. Aqua is requesting an overall rate increase of $43.2 million per year. On average, the proposed increase would raise monthly residential water rates from $47.20 to about $52.08.
Rose Mary Fellin, however, was not totally opposed to the rate increase — as long as the end result was palatable.
“I hate to see them raise the rates, but it’s worth it if you get good water for your money. I don’t mind paying for the water if you can drink it,” she said.
In addition to airing complaints, William Fellin said he is working with the state Consumer Advocate office on behalf of the citizens of Oneida to file an objection to Aqua’s rate increase proposal. Fellin made signature petitions available to the residents at Tuesday’s meeting, and will conduct a door-to-door canvas of the community collecting signatures of residents who were unable to attend the meeting.
Ed Shamany, East Union Township supervisors chairman, said there is a genuine water quality problem in Oneida.
“With the filter system they have in the treatment plant, we should have the cleanest water in Pennsylvania,” he said.
Shamany said he and Supervisor Dennis Antonelli have been working with the local legislative delegation in effort to resolve Oneida’s water woes.
“Dennis and I are behind these citizens 100 percent. However far they are able to take this, we will take it ten steps further,” Shamany said.
According to Aqua communications director Donna P
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