Water at Bernie's Mobile Home Park in Winfield is usable again, DEP says

After about a month without drinkable water, residents at Bernie’s Mobile Home Park in Winfield can begin to use their faucets again, according to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Tom Decker.

Laboratory test results showed the water to be compliant with Environmental Protection Agency standards, which allowed water operators to lift a previously issued notification instructing users not to drink, cook or prepare food with the water, Decker said.

In an emailed statement, Decker said DEP officials were alerted to a breakdown in a water softener used to remove manganese from the well water at the site. That caused officials to issue a “Do Not Use” notification to residents on Oct. 16.

Operators completed repairs on Oct. 31, Decker said, but test results still showed manganese levels above the EPA advisory level of 1 milligram per liter on Nov. 11.

Two days later, operators collected compliant field samples with DEP officials on site, but laboratory results were required to lift the notice, Decker said.

After results came back Friday “within normal limits,” Decker said operators have lifted the notice.

Stackhouse Management, the North Carolina-based firm that has managed Bernie’s since 2022, sent a statement to residents saying the park’s water system is “fully operational.”

The statement directed questions about water service to the property manager or the DEP.

Bernie’s property manager declined a TribLive request for comment. Stackhouse Management did not immediately respond to a TribLive request for comment.

Residents had been using cases of bottled water sporadically distributed by park management, but many said it wasn’t enough for their regular needs.

That led several residents to bring in their own water in jugs or other vessels to get through the month.

Angel File cares for her 82-year-old father, Jim Miller, who has lived at the park for more than 40 years.

She said she’s glad to hear the situation is resolved, but she’ll still monitor the water at least for a little while.

“Hopefully it’s true, but I’ll keep an eye on it,” File said.