Bradford City Water Authority (BCWA) is set to commence its water meter replacement project, to be coordinated and executed by Keystone Utility Systems.

The authority issued the installation contractor a notice to proceed during its regular meeting held this week. Customers will begin to see notices from Keystone to set up appointment dates and times to change out the authority’s water meters and corresponding transmitters.

Toll-free phone numbers, email addresses, a website and QR codes will be available for customers to schedule an appointment at a convenient time, including evenings and weekends. The contractor anticipates the installation to take between 15 and 30 minutes.

The authority closed out its low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) and approved associated preparatory invoices.

Also during the meeting, the authority approved WaterSolve LLC to perform hydraulic dredging of accumulated sludge at the water treatment plant. This work is scheduled to get underway July 14.

BCWA Executive Director Steve Disney said the authority received word that U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., included its water treatment plant upgrades in his congressional spending requests. The $1.6 million project — one of only 16 statewide requests Fetterman included — entails the renovation of eight water treatment tanks, repairing and replacing filter components and installing a new ultraviolet disinfection system. The funding will not be secured until the federal budget and appropriations process is determined.

The plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit was posted for its 30-day public comment period and the authority requested that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) keep its current discharge limits unchanged.

On the authority’s behalf, Bankson Engineers submitted a minor Public Water Supply permit amendment to align the authority’s actual assets with DEP records, such as adding the Munn Road pump station and the abandonment of the Constitution and Hillside pump stations.

Regarding the watershed, Ken Kane of Generations Forestry conducted a tour for Troy Ott, Penn State University dean of agriculture sciences, and Seth Cassell, Pennsylvania state forester and Bureau of Forestry director. Kane reported the Gilbert timber sale harvest is complete, but the sale is not yet finalized.

The authority also laid out two preliminary connector trails to allow for snowmobiling loops.

Also during its meeting, the authority approved payments for the now completed emergency repairs to the fishing piers at Marilla and Luther reservoirs. Gleason Construction Inc. was paid $28,599 for Marilla and $32,713 for the pier at Luther Reservoir. The McKean County Conservation District approved $30,000 in funding to help the authority cover those repair costs. A similar request was made to McKean County commissioners.

The authority stated its 8-inch main replacement for the Route 219 pump station is substantially complete, adding that a two-year maintenance bond is in effect until May 12, 2027. During that period, the contractor will be responsible for any defects related to materials, workmanship or design.