Capital Region Water provides essential drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services to the Harrisburg community. Protection of the environment and public health is what we are designed to do and what we will continue to do. Our focus is on ensuring the continued reliability and safety of your drinking water and wastewater, and stormwater systems for our customers, as well as the health and safety of our employees.
First and foremost, our customers should be assured that their drinking water meets or exceeds all state and federal safety requirements. Capital Region Water’s daily operations include treatment procedures that remove or inactivate any potential viruses from our water supplies.
Stay informed on COVID-19 updates. Follow Capital Region Water on social media. We’re active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Sign up for Emergency Alerts. In an emergency, Capital Region Water can send messages via telephone, text message, and email to quickly inform you of potential water concerns. Set up your account today.
Quick Facts
Services
- Drinking Water: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the “presence of the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies, and based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.” Further, EPA’s drinking water regulations require treatment at public water systems to remove or kill pathogens, including viruses, with strong disinfectants. Standard water treatment facilities that utilize filtration and disinfection to meet Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, such as the water treatment plant operated by CRW, are expected to be safe from containing or spreading the coronavirus.
- Wastewater: Our wastewater treatment process is designed to eliminate waterborne pathogens, including viruses such as the novel coronavirus. The risk of transmission is expected to be low, based on data from previous outbreaks of other coronaviruses such as the outbreak of SARS. Capital Region Water ensures that employees follow routine practices to prevent exposure from wastewater. This includes both engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) normally required.
Customer Support
- Customer Service: The Customer Service Center will be following covid-19 safety protocols. Masks must be worn inside the building, limit party size, and practice a 6-foot social distance when interacting in the building. Customer service staff are available to answer your calls and inquiries during business hours. Please contact us at 888-510-0606 or by email at info@capitalregionwater.com.
Contactless customer service available via drive-thru located at our 3003 N. Front Street location.
Payment can be made by cash or check. Rolled coins cannot be accepted.
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Public Board of Directors Meeting: These meetings will be held in-person at 3003 North Front Street, 1st Floor Board Room, Harrisburg, PA 17110. For your convenience, we will continue to offer the public access to these meetings virtually. Due to our offices still being under construction, we encourage virtual participation of meetings. All meeting dates will be posted on Capital Region Water’s website at Board Meetings and are open to the public in person and virtually. Visit our website or call 888‑510-0606 for virtual meeting access for attending each respective meeting.
- Field Crews: Our work is essential so please keep a distance when you see our crews in action. We ask that if you approach, wear a mask, or other protective barriers to protect our crews.
Tips for Home and Office
Help avoid clogs and backups: Capital Region Water reminds you to be conscious of what you flush. Blockage in the sewer system could lead to costly backups in our homes too. Remember not to flush facial tissues, paper towels or “flushable” wipes. Those belong in the trash bin.
In addition, please remember to keep sinks and drains clear of fats, oils, and grease. Thank you for your help in this united front in protecting our city’s infrastructure!
Flush Pipes when re-opening buildings: Capital Region Water encourages property owners and managers to flush the plumbing in dormant buildings prior to reopening. Safety concerns arise when the building’s pipes have not been used for long periods of time. The water resting in the building’s pipes becomes stagnant and water quality degrades. When these types of conditions exist, waterborne bacteria have a greater potential of being present in your lines.
Business owners and maintenance staff can remedy this by following the flushing steps referenced below. The purpose of this flushing is to replace all water inside building piping with fresh water from Capital Region Water’s distribution system:
- Prevent backflow or back siphoning of contaminants into plumbing by closing any valves separating irrigation systems from building plumbing systems and disconnect hoses attached to faucets.
- After removing any faucet aerator or filter, turn on the cold water* inside the building at each point of use (showers, break room sinks, drinking fountains, utility closets, restrooms, etc.).
- Organize flushing to maximize the flow of water (e.g., opening all outlets simultaneously to flush the service line).
- Then flush from the point (i.e., faucet) closest to where the water enters the building, nearest the water meter, and flush in zones to the distant ends of the building. Remember to run cold water only.
- The cold water has been successfully flushed when you feel the water temperature go from slightly warm to cold (typical duration will vary between 10 and 30 minutes for each outlet).
- Flush hot water storage tanks to displace stagnant/discolored water with fresh water. Flush boilers, hot water tanks, hot tubs/spas, etc. according to the manufacturer’s flushing instructions. Specific devices, such as water heaters, may need to be drained after a prolonged period of disuse. Repeat step 1 using hot water.
- The hot water has been successfully flushed when you feel the water temperature turn from warm to hot.
- Hot water should reach its maximum temperature.
- Inspect mechanical equipment to ensure that there are no issues regarding their function. Flush and perform preventive maintenance on point of use devices, such as cooling units, fountains, systems providing additional water treatment, etc. per the manufacturer’s recommendations as applicable.
- Ensure safety equipment including fire systems, eye wash stations, and safety showers are clean and well-maintained. Flush, clean, and disinfect these systems.
- Once all domestic water service lines, internal plumbing, and point of use devices/systems are flushed/properly maintained, the building can be occupied. If the building is not scheduled for immediate reopening and regular use of water, weekly flushing may be necessary.
- Building managers may consider the use of a chlorine test kit to measure this residual. Water is considered refreshed and ready for use when there is a 0.5 ppm (mg/L) chlorine residual present at the point of entry. Chlorine test kits can be obtained at local hardware stores. Samples should be taken at the farthest point of use from where water enters the building.
- Contact Capital Region Water, with any questions. CRW can be contacted at 888-510-0606 or via email at info@capitalregionwater.com.
*Customers should flush the cold water first, starting with faucets closest to their water meter and move out distally. Customers should then follow manufacturer suggestions for hot water heater maintenance and flush the hot water starting at faucets closest to their water meter and move out distally. You should know when water is flushed when it turns from either slightly warm to cold, or from warm to hot.
For More Information:
- For detailed information on reactivating plumbing systems after dormant conditions, please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html.
- Customers can also contact the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or visit the following sites for more information: