HV Utility Services
Hidden Valley Utility Services Update - January 2021
Progress continues on the new Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) construction of the new water treatment plant. The Hidden Valley Foundation Clean Water Committee continues ongoing communication with HVUS-owner Jim Kettler in effort to keep Hidden Valley residents informed of such progress. The plant is being constructed by court order after a series of litigation between residents of Hidden Valley and the PUC’s Office of Consumer Advocate.
Construction of the new water treatment facility, located just off Craighead Drive, has been underway for several months. The facility is expected to eliminate the Manganese (brown) in our drinking water.
Since the November 18th HVUS public meeting with the Homeowners, the following progress has been made.
Exterior shell:
•Roof structure is in place and with final finish yet to be completed.
•3 sides of the building complete with exterior sheeting installed
•Windows installed
•One of two man doors installed, overhead door still on back order.
Exterior underground:
•All underground conduit and piping are complete and backwash tank plumbed and back filled.
Interior work:
•loor slab has been installed
•Interior block walls- material is staged and ready to install
•Ceiling plywood complete and internal electrical work is beginning
Mechanical:
•All filter tanks installed, and associated piping is complete. Interior storage tank installed. Remaining work includes delivery and install of freshwater pumps (4)
Electrical:
•Exterior buried conduit is complete from the transformers to the building, no wire pulled. Interior electrical can now proceed since the ceiling work is complete. Electrician is scheduled to begin on Monday 1/18/21.
Overall, construction continues toward an early Spring completion. Once the construction is completed, HVUS will seek an operating permit from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection required to verify the plant was built to state regulatory standards and can operate safely and properly.
After the operating permit is issued, HVUS can initiate operations. According to Mr. Kettler, it will take some time to “flush” the lines at every home before the “brown” water is completely eradicated from the system. For example, he suggested that once the system is operational that homeowners consider draining their hot water heater if they continue to notice discolored water. In the spring of 2021, the HVUS will hire a scuba team to dive into the large holding tank to thoroughly clean the tank. This should also contribute to the improved water quality
Additional information on the long-term progress of HVUS efforts to address the regulatory mandated improvements is contained in the following link below.
In 2020, the Hidden Valley Foundation (HVF) formed the Clean Water Committee (CWC) to assist with advocating for improved water conditions for all residents. That committee has and will continue to facilitate dialogue between the Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) and the HVF. The committee will keep the HVF and residents apprised of developments as they emerge.
Construction of the new water treatment facility, located just off Craighead Drive, has been underway for several months. The facility is expected to eliminate the Manganese (brown) in our drinking water.
Since the November 18th HVUS public meeting with the Homeowners, the following progress has been made.
Exterior shell:
•Roof structure is in place and with final finish yet to be completed.
•3 sides of the building complete with exterior sheeting installed
•Windows installed
•One of two man doors installed, overhead door still on back order.
Exterior underground:
•All underground conduit and piping are complete and backwash tank plumbed and back filled.
Interior work:
•loor slab has been installed
•Interior block walls- material is staged and ready to install
•Ceiling plywood complete and internal electrical work is beginning
Mechanical:
•All filter tanks installed, and associated piping is complete. Interior storage tank installed. Remaining work includes delivery and install of freshwater pumps (4)
Electrical:
•Exterior buried conduit is complete from the transformers to the building, no wire pulled. Interior electrical can now proceed since the ceiling work is complete. Electrician is scheduled to begin on Monday 1/18/21.
Overall, construction continues toward an early Spring completion. Once the construction is completed, HVUS will seek an operating permit from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection required to verify the plant was built to state regulatory standards and can operate safely and properly.
After the operating permit is issued, HVUS can initiate operations. According to Mr. Kettler, it will take some time to “flush” the lines at every home before the “brown” water is completely eradicated from the system. For example, he suggested that once the system is operational that homeowners consider draining their hot water heater if they continue to notice discolored water. In the spring of 2021, the HVUS will hire a scuba team to dive into the large holding tank to thoroughly clean the tank. This should also contribute to the improved water quality
Additional information on the long-term progress of HVUS efforts to address the regulatory mandated improvements is contained in the following link below.
In 2020, the Hidden Valley Foundation (HVF) formed the Clean Water Committee (CWC) to assist with advocating for improved water conditions for all residents. That committee has and will continue to facilitate dialogue between the Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) and the HVF. The committee will keep the HVF and residents apprised of developments as they emerge.
Update:
On November 18th at 7PM, The Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) held a Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) mandated public meeting. The HVUS provides water and sanitation services to residents of Hidden Valley. The Hidden Valley Foundation Clean Water Committee has, over the past six months, been in ongoing communication with Jim Kettler, owner/operator of HVUS, to keep apprised of status of HVUS progress on the new water treatment plant being built, and in effort to keep Hidden Valley residents informed of such progress. The plant is being constructed by court order after a series of litigation between residents of Hidden Valley and the PUC’s Office of Consumer Advocate.
Construction of the new water treatment facility, located just off Craighead Drive, has been underway for several months. The facility is expected to eliminate the Manganese (brown) in our drinking water. The following points are highlights from the November 18th meeting:
• Delays in construction have pushed the completion date of the water treatment plant to sometime in January 2021.
• Once the construction is completed, HVUS will seek an operating permit from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection required to verify the plant was built to state regulatory standards and can operate safely and properly.
• After the operating permit is issued, HVUS can initiate operations. According to Mr. Kettler, it will take some time to “flush” the lines at every home before the “brown” water is completely eradicated from the system. For example, he suggested that once the system is operational that homeowners consider draining their hot water heater if they continue to notice discolored water.
• During the winter months, the “waste” water byproduct created from filtering the drinking water will be shipped by truck to a yet to be identified treatment facility. Following the winter months, the “waste” water will be released into wooded areas adjacent to a section of the Pyle Farm Trail, several hundred yards from the North Summit lagoon. According to HVUS, the slow release of this wastewater is allowable in this location and has been ongoing for years.
• In the spring of 2021, the HVUS will hire a scuba team to dive into the large holding tank to thoroughly clean the tank. This should also contribute to the improved water quality
• HVUS will be updating their internet payment system so residents can continue making payments electronically
In 2020, the Hidden Valley Foundation (HVF) formed the Clean Water Committee (CWC) to assist with advocating for improved water conditions for all residents. That committee has and will continue to facilitate dialogue between the Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) and the HVF. The committee will keep the HVF and residents apprised of developments as they emerge.
Construction of the new water treatment facility, located just off Craighead Drive, has been underway for several months. The facility is expected to eliminate the Manganese (brown) in our drinking water. The following points are highlights from the November 18th meeting:
• Delays in construction have pushed the completion date of the water treatment plant to sometime in January 2021.
• Once the construction is completed, HVUS will seek an operating permit from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection required to verify the plant was built to state regulatory standards and can operate safely and properly.
• After the operating permit is issued, HVUS can initiate operations. According to Mr. Kettler, it will take some time to “flush” the lines at every home before the “brown” water is completely eradicated from the system. For example, he suggested that once the system is operational that homeowners consider draining their hot water heater if they continue to notice discolored water.
• During the winter months, the “waste” water byproduct created from filtering the drinking water will be shipped by truck to a yet to be identified treatment facility. Following the winter months, the “waste” water will be released into wooded areas adjacent to a section of the Pyle Farm Trail, several hundred yards from the North Summit lagoon. According to HVUS, the slow release of this wastewater is allowable in this location and has been ongoing for years.
• In the spring of 2021, the HVUS will hire a scuba team to dive into the large holding tank to thoroughly clean the tank. This should also contribute to the improved water quality
• HVUS will be updating their internet payment system so residents can continue making payments electronically
In 2020, the Hidden Valley Foundation (HVF) formed the Clean Water Committee (CWC) to assist with advocating for improved water conditions for all residents. That committee has and will continue to facilitate dialogue between the Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) and the HVF. The committee will keep the HVF and residents apprised of developments as they emerge.
Update:
In 2020, the Hidden Valley Foundation (HVF) formed the Clean Water Committee (CWC) to assist with advocating for improved water conditions for all residents. That committee has and will continue to facilitate dialogue between the Hidden Valley Utility Service (HVUS) and the HVF. The committee will keep the HVF and residents apprised of developments as they emerge.
Since our last community update, progress has been made on the Hidden Valley Utility Service’s (HVUS) new water treatment facility. Construction of the new facility, located just off Craighead Drive, has been underway for several weeks. The facility is expected to eliminate the Manganese (brown) in our drinking water. Members of the CWC have met at the construction site with HVUS’s owner, Jim Kettler. Mr. Kettler is planning to have the system operational by the New Year. Originally, the HVUS had hoped to have the work completed before the year’s end; however, based on the work that has been done to date, having the system fully operational is not expected until after ski season. Mr. Kettler has targeted certification of the new facility by the state authorities to happen in January 2021 and final inspections later in February. A flush of the existing holding tanks would take place in March 2021 followed by a thorough cleaning by a dive team in June 2021.
Before the year’s end, HVUS is expected to host the second of two annual meetings the utility is required to conduct per order by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC). More information about the water treatment facility can be provided to residents at that time. We encourage your attendance at the meeting which is tentatively scheduled to take place on November 18th at 7PM.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/9344897610?pwd=L2tXSXFXM1VnSzh1SVlZMjZIdXdIdz09
Resident will be able to ask questions during the meeting; however, we are requesting that questions be submitted help@hvftoday before the end of the day on November 17th. This will allow for a more efficient meeting.
Since our last community update, progress has been made on the Hidden Valley Utility Service’s (HVUS) new water treatment facility. Construction of the new facility, located just off Craighead Drive, has been underway for several weeks. The facility is expected to eliminate the Manganese (brown) in our drinking water. Members of the CWC have met at the construction site with HVUS’s owner, Jim Kettler. Mr. Kettler is planning to have the system operational by the New Year. Originally, the HVUS had hoped to have the work completed before the year’s end; however, based on the work that has been done to date, having the system fully operational is not expected until after ski season. Mr. Kettler has targeted certification of the new facility by the state authorities to happen in January 2021 and final inspections later in February. A flush of the existing holding tanks would take place in March 2021 followed by a thorough cleaning by a dive team in June 2021.
Before the year’s end, HVUS is expected to host the second of two annual meetings the utility is required to conduct per order by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC). More information about the water treatment facility can be provided to residents at that time. We encourage your attendance at the meeting which is tentatively scheduled to take place on November 18th at 7PM.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/9344897610?pwd=L2tXSXFXM1VnSzh1SVlZMjZIdXdIdz09
Resident will be able to ask questions during the meeting; however, we are requesting that questions be submitted help@hvftoday before the end of the day on November 17th. This will allow for a more efficient meeting.
HVUS SUMMARY OF RATE REQUESTS AND DECISION:
As a matter of reference, HVF is posting the following file denoting the RATE CASE vs HVUS. It summarizes a basic timeline of requests, testimony and arguments from HVUS, testimony and arguments from the OCA/HVF and ultimately, the decisions made with regard to water and wastewater rate increases.
The two charts included summarize what HVUS originally asked for (107.2% increase in water rates and 63.1% increase in wastewater rates) and what was granted by the Administrative Law Judge in (46.6% and 28.0% respectively) in January, 2019. This lower increase was achieved in part by the willingness of many HVF homeowners (listed in the documents) to dedicate their own time to become party to the action and provide written documentation and testimony as needed. HVF thanks them for their efforts in this matter.
Hidden Valley Foundation
