PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Residents in Philadelphia’s collar counties are being asked to temporarily suspend nonessential water use in the aftermath of Tropical Depression Ida, which knocked out its water treatment plants in Chester County.
Aqua Pennsylvania said it had to shut down its Pickering East and West water treatment plants due to the heavy rainfall, flooding and loss of power. As a result, people are asked to reduce their water use, like automatic sprinklers, until the supply is restored.
On Wednesday, the water level of the Pickering Creek reservoir in Phoenixville rose quickly and spewed over the dam spillway. About 500 nearby residents in Montgomery and Chester counties were evacuated.
Aqua serves more than 1.4 million people across the state. The Southeastern Division services parts of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
The company said it is adjusting service in other parts of the region to increase the Pickering supply. Water may appear discolored during this process.
Aqua did not specify how long it will take to restore service.
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