Police: Vandals Contaminated Mobile Home Park's Water System

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Someone contaminated the water for a Hempfield Township mobile home park Sunday.

It happened at the Pine View Manor mobile home park on Sugar Pine Lane around 5 a.m.

According to state police, an unknown actor or actors entered the community's water facility, dumped $1,000 worth of water treatment chemicals and poured an unknown substance into the nearby water tower.

As a result, the water for the 50-unit mobile home community was deemed unsafe to use, forcing 100 people to find water elsewhere.

Some residents reported that the water smells like sewage.

"It tastes like poop from the sewers," one child said.

Authorities say the person or people who did this could face 100 counts of reckless endangerment.

The park had a similar problem several weeks ago.

"When I arrived down here, the door was busted off, the cameras were smashed and all the chemicals were dumped," said park manager William Greenawalt.

Signs were hung reading: "Tampering with this facility is a federal offense!"

That didn't stop a second incident from occurring.

"I think its childish. We all have to live here. We all have to bathe, use the water, wash dishes. Now nobody can bathe or use the water and it's frustrating,  especially when you have kids that have to go to school," Jessica Anderson said.

The Department of Environmental Protection collected water samples that will be rushed to Harrisburg for evaluation.

The Red Cross is providing water to residents. State police say affected residents can go to the New Stanton Station at 2200 North Center Ave. for emergency water.

State police say the public water system does not appear to be affected.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to call state police in Greensburg at (724) 832-3288.

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