Northern Cambria Water Customers Say They're Getting a Dirty Deal

NORTHERN CAMBRIA, CAMBRIA COUNTY - Bill and Christina Hicks joke they are on the last chapter of their 65 year marriage.  He's 90 and she's 84.  Both agree they don't want their story to end early because of tainted water. 

"Why didn't they warn us they knew before this why didnt they let us know?" Christina said.

Christina found out 2 weeks ago there was a boil water advisory through the newspaper.  It wasn't until today she learned that advisory was put out because the Northern Cambria Water Authority found E-coli bacteria in the water.  The DEP is questioning why the authority didn't act faster.  In a report, it says the water plant operators learned of the bacteria on July 21st but didnt report it until 2 days later.  The time lapse is another violation. The report goes on to say "...the lack of actions by the NCMA are very questionable. These actions have led to a complete failure of a water treatment plant that is a severe violation of the safe drinking water regulations.  It adds insult to injury for folks living in neighboring Susquehanna Township.  They lost years long court battles to continue using their well water and were forced to use the public water system.  The DEP also found that there was a mandatory emergency alert system that wasn't in service.  Again, both the representative from DEP and the water authority said the water is safe to drink and the improvements are being made so the plant comes into compliance.