The Shepherdstown Water Department has been notified by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) that a chemical used for paper coating has spilled into the North Branch of the Potomac River on Wednesday, September 23. ICPRB staff has completed an initial assessment of the travel times to the downstream water treatment plant intake, and they estimate that the chemical will reach the Shepherdstown intake on, Saturday, October 10.
The Water Department is gathering additional information about the nature of the chemical. In the event the Water Department shuts down its Potomac River intake we have two plus days of water storage.
The Water Department is evaluating the adequacy of its supplies and its capability to meet customer demand in the event that the intake is shut down. The Water Department will notify customers if there is a need to reduce water consumption during that period.
For further questions, please contact the Shepherdstown Water Department at 304-876-2394. Updates will be provided as received.
