Bethlehem City Water Authority
On july 26 1938 city council created the bethlehem municipal water authority the first one to be established in the commonwealth of pennsylvania.
Bethlehem city water authority. Crystal clear springs like this one feed the creeks and streams that eventually fill the penn forest and wild creek reservoirs the sources of the city of bethlehem s pristine safe and abundant drinking water supply. Explains in detail the city of bethlehem s municipal authority. The bethlehem municipal water authority owns about 23000 acres of watershed property in carbon and monroe counties. The city takes great pride in the quality of water we serve our customers.
This helps prolong the life of your plumbing household appliances and industrial. The system also supports 1 670 fire hydrants that are vital for community safety. The city of bethlehem is actively working with government agencies hospitals and businesses to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. On this property nearly ten billion gallons of water are contained in two reservoirs that supply clean water to 115 000 people and 1315 businesses within the city of bethlehem two boroughs and seven townships.
The authority was the first municipal authority incorporated in pennsylvania following the enactment of the pa municipal authority s act of 1935. Bethlehem water it all starts here. The bethlehem authority is a political corporate body incorporated in 1938 pursuant to an ordinance enacted by the city council of the city of bethlehem city and now exists pursuant to the act. It is also very soft or low in hardness.
The desire for the best possible source for a supply of water led to the selection of an area in the pocono mountains in carbon county for the construction of the wild creek reservoir. Penn forest and wild creek reservoirs. Each year the town of bethlehem delivers approximately 1 6 billion gallons of clean drinking water to more than 11 600 homes and businesses through 227 miles of pipes. Please refer to the bethlehem health bureau s coronavirus page for the most current information best practices and resources.
About reservoirs penn forest reservoir. Average consumption equals 15 million gallons per day. The bethlehem water division under the city water and sewer resources department provides water for about 117 259 residents living in the bethlehem area. The water distribution system consists of 1.
City hall is open to the public. Javascript is used extensively on the city of bethlehem web site but your browser has disabled javascript or does not support it. The city of bethlehem provides drinking water to residents and businesses in the city and all or portions of ten surrounding municipalities and includes 36 000 metered accounts.