Ownership of this property transferred to the Lancaster County Conservancy in May 2006. The project also involved an economic development aspect. News article follow: Turkey Hill to tap wider water lines Boosts water supply from four Manor Twp. wells to meet demand for increased production � and summer iced tea sales. Lancaster New Era, Published: May 14, 2008, 10:51 EST, Lancaster, By AD CRABLE, Staff - When you're the top refrigerated iced tea producer in the nation, and expect to grow, you need more water. Turkey Hill Dairy has completed a new 4,250-foot water line to draw groundwater from four wells at the base of Turkey Hill to its dairy facilities atop the hill. The newly buried 8-inch water line in Manor Township replaces a 4-inch line installed in 2003. The 4-inch line could not keep up with Turkey Hill's water requirements during the summer months when iced tea production kicked in around the clock, said Melissa Mattilio, marketing manager for Turkey Hill. Even though the $500,000 project will allow a greater flow, Turkey Hill says it will not come close to exceeding its permit from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to withdraw and use up to 900,000 gallons of water a day. In fact, Turkey Hill is currently using only 30 percent of its annual water allotment established by the SRBC in 2003. The company projects a 5 percent yearly increase in its water requirements for producing and processing iced tea, ice cream and milk, as well as for sanitation, Mattilio said. Turkey Hill produces 46 million gallons of iced tea a year from atop Turkey Hill, according to Mattilio. When Turkey Hill applied for the permit for groundwater withdrawal in 2003, the company had to do extensive testing of its wells and those of neighbors to make sure the withdrawal wouldn't affect groundwater supplies in the area, according to Mattilio. "We do know that when we first worked with SRBC, there were some people concerned about what we were doing," Mattilio said. "We did a lot of studies that monitored everybody's wells around here to make sure we were not affecting any water. The SRBC was very, very comfortable with that. "The whole reason we worked with SRBC is that water is very important to us, too," Mattilio continued. "We intend to be here for a very long time, and it's a valuable resource." "It's a high priority for our neighbors and it's a high priority for us, too." LeRoy Funk, 2277 River Road, Washington Boro, who lives less than a mile from the Turkey Hill wells, said he was not concerned that the company would be using more well water. "It wouldn't affect us, to my knowledge. I have no concerns," he said. Turkey Hill had to receive permission from the Lancaster County Conservation District, state Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build the new water line. The water line right of way is mostly on the west side of Route 441. Due to the location of a hand-dug well on an adjacent property, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission required an archaeological survey. When some chiseled shards and the base of a projectile point were found, a more extensive dig was ordered. That turned up nothing of significance from the prehistory age of the region, Mattilio said, though a 20th-century toy soldier was unearthed. Turkey Hill made a monetary donation to help the Lancaster County Conservancy purchase land for a preserve at the base of Turkey Hill, in exchange for a right-of-way easement for the water line. The pipeline right of way will be used as part of a relocated Turkey Hill Trail to a popular overlook.
Former Use: Primarily wooded, possible history of dumping. Property was in private ownership at time Phase I was conducted.