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Old Dams Fueling Future Water Supplies
15 Aug
Summary
- Pennsylvania American Water is rehabilitating century-old dams for future water needs.
- Nearly $100 million spent since 2012 on dam rehabilitations statewide.
- Lake Scranton plant serves 55,000 customer connections in Scranton and nearby areas.
Much of the Lackawanna Valley's drinking water originates from reservoirs built in the mid- to late-1800s, reflecting the industrial growth and population increase of that era. Pennsylvania American Water (PAW) now owns and operates these historical systems, including the Lake Scranton water treatment plant, which serves 55,000 customer connections in Scranton and surrounding areas. This plant is PAW's largest in eastern Pennsylvania and third largest statewide, underscoring its significance.
Under a state mandate to ensure structural integrity for the next century, PAW has spent nearly $100 million since 2012 on dam rehabilitations across the state. The company's 47 dams have an average age of 107 years. Recent tours highlighted ongoing improvements, including rehabilitation, work nearing completion, and even dam removal, returning areas to their natural stream state. These efforts preserve water supplies originating from smaller, cleaner watersheds chosen to avoid pollution from historical coal mining activities.
PAW plans to enhance public understanding of this system's history by installing informational signs at Lake Scranton. These signs will feature historical photos, facts, and figures about precursor companies like Scranton Gas and Water, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of water management in the region.
