UPDATE: Possibility of contamination has Columbia residents filling up on bottled water - CBS 21 News

UPDATE: Nearly 9,000 water customers in Lancaster County are not allowed to consume their water even if it's boiled. However, officials now say it is safe to bathe and wash clothes.

Columbia Water Company issued the ban saying the water may have been contaminated after someone broke into one of the water storage tanks The ban is affecting Columbia, Mountville and parts of Manor Township.

Because of this schools and offices in Columbia School District are closed today as is Columbia Child Care and Learning.

Officials say tests will be done to see if the water is safe - but that could take a few days. In the meantime water buffaloes have been set up so people can bring their own containers and take as much water as needed.

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/UPDATE-Possibility-of-contamination-has-Columbia/Jg8DvIR03Emh8QIwX4ejaQ.cspx

Columbia Water customers should not drink water

COLUMBIA, PA - Columbia Water customers should not drink water March 14, 2013 03:15 PM EDT

Customers of Columbia Water Company have been asked to not drink water due to potential contamination, according to company officials.

Officials said a break-in at a storage tank/pumping station happened early Thursday and they are not sure if the water was tampered with.

Customers in the Marietta Division of Columbia Water company are not affected.

Columbia police said they were called to a storage tank north of the borough about noon Thursday.

Below is the full statement from company officials.

Columbia Water Company is issuing a "DO NOT CONSUME" order for customers of Columbia Water Company due to potential contamination of the drinking water supply. It was discovered today that a break-in occurred over night at one of the storage tank/pumping station locations. At this time, it is unknown if the water in the storage tank was tampered with.

This notice applies to the following customers: All customers of Columbia Water Company except those in the Marietta Division.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Customers are asked to not use the water for drinking, cooking, food preparation, oral hygiene or providing to pets until further notice.

Throw away ice cubes if made with tap water after 3:30 p.m. on March 13. The water can be used for sanitary purposes such as bathing and washing. If you have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

Alternative water supplies are being provided by Columbia Water Company. Columbia Water will be providing a water tanker to residents as needed. The water tankers will be stationed at the Columbia Shopping Plaza and the Columbia Shopping Center. You will need to bring your own containers to transport your water.

Corrective actions are being taken by Columbia Water Company. We have isolated the storage tank that was possibly tampered with. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is conducting sampling of the tank and the distribution system to identify any potential contamination. We will be draining the tank after sampling has been conducted.

Columbia Water Company anticipates resolving the problem within 3-5 days. Notice will be issued when the problem is resolved and this advisory has been lifted.

For more information visit our website at ColumbiaWaterCo.com or call the Columbia Water Company at 717-684-2188.

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http://m.wgal.com/news/Columbia-Water-customers-should-not-drink-water/-/17430522/19318506/-/xl1nph/-/index.html

Artist Bob Hammer - Closing reception this Saturday

Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Weavings, INK. Art Gallery

208 Hellam Street, Wrightsville, PA 17368

(T) 717-252-3518 www.weavingsink.com

Vultures in Columbia

The vulture problem that was presented to borough council at this week's meeting was previously discussed by commenters to this blog at a post HERE.

Vultures 'hang out' in Columbia - News - LancasterOnline.com

Turkey vultures are "more than a nuisance," Columbia resident Cy Greenya told borough council Monday.

Greenya estimates the number of turkey and black vultures that roost in the trees along the back of his property to be near 100. They tear up roof shingles and destroy patio furniture. The vast amount of feces, he said, must be a health hazard.

Vultures are federally-protected migratory birds, he said, so property owners have limited options in dealing with the problem.

MORE HERE:

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/825241_Vultures--hang-out--in-Columbia.html

The Cycle Den - Rising from the Ashes

What I saw this weekend

On Saturday, unseasonably warm temps convinced these small spring flowers to emerge.

Two mallards went wading in Shawnee Creek.

These guys went wading in the Susquehanna.

They were members of New Holland's Liberty Fire Company.

They trained on Saturday and Sunday at River Park.

(The three photos above were taken on Saturday.)

An overseer on shore watched the proceedings.

On Sunday, these folks were walking along the railroad tracks at the bottom of Locust Street.

They were searching for something.

 I assume they had placed a penny on the track, and it got lost after a train ran over it.  

About noon, clouds passed over the area, but didn't hang around.  

The sun returned mid-afternoon.