With expanding Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities and new flow meters coming, the Bradford Sanitary Authority continues to make improvements in the ways it looks at its collection systems.
The authority held its regular meeting Wednesday, where board members heard about ongoing improvements.
To help with the GIS expansion, the authority has hired a part-time engineering student from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. This person is helping gather data for both the sanitary and stormwater collection systems.
The GIS program has many uses, Executive Director Rick Brocius explained to The Era after the authority meeting.
“The Authority’s GIS capabilities will be the foundation for future work scheduling, digital mapping, emergency management, PA One-Call responses, system rehabilitation planning, and operational and capital budget planning, all in support of achieving optimum operational efficiency,” he said. “It is now common practice for BSA staff to visit with property owners in the field and pull up digital maps on iPads showing sanitary and stormwater line locations to aid all parties in understanding and resolving common problems.”
Installation of new state-of-the-art flow meters is related to the authority’s annual Chapter 94 report, which “identifies all performance, repair, and improvement activities conducted on the collection systems over the prior year throughout all five municipalities served by the treatment plant. It also serves to show the ongoing efforts to reduce the impact of inflow & infiltration (I&I) on the collection system and treatment plant,” Brocius explained.
The flow meters, part of the Phase 3 upgrades, “will be installed throughout the system to better measure the impact and progress in reducing I&I,” he said.
They are on track with Chapter 94 progress and on track to meet the March 31 submission deadline for required information.
In other news, authority staff took part in a table top exercise conducted Feb. 6 by the McKean County Emergency Management Agency. The group reviewed established response plans and actions for facility personnel and emergency responders in the event of a chlorine leak at the authority’s sewage treatment plant.
Several groups took part, including staff from the Bradford City and Bradford Township fire departments, Bradford City Water Authority and IRM Hazmat Response Services of Olean, N.Y.
Brocius credited Bruce Manning of the McKean County EMA with organizing the training and providing instruction.
The authority is also updating its rules and regulations for addressing stormwater requirements.
“A focus on delinquency management will help the Authority assist customers with payment options and provide for new tools in the collection of overdue accounts,” Brocius said.
He explained how the fees are important, as they are being used to fix the stormwater collection system.
“The Authority appreciates and values the timely payments by the vast majority of its customers,” he said. “In turn these funds have been put to good use in addressing flooding problems, performing emergency repairs, rebuilding deteriorated infrastructure, and assessing and mapping the system.”
The authority continues to address unpaid stormwater accounts.
At the plant, work continues on the Phase 3 upgrades.
Brocius said all three main contractors — Hickes Associates, Pure Tech Electric and Mazza Mechanical Services are making good progress.
He said the biggest changes over the last month include “new efficient LED lighting, concrete pours for the floor of the new chlorine building, fire alarm system, drain lines, wastewater and process lines and electrical conduit.”
The authority is still accepting and reviewing application for a field crew manager. Applicants can visit the authority’s website or Facebook page for qualification requirements and information on how to apply.
