At Wednesday’s meeting of Bradford City Water Authority, members heard an update on a proposal for improvements to the water treatment plant.
According to Steve Disney, executive director of the authority, Bankson Engineers is preparing a capital improvement proposal and cost estimates.
“Bankson Engineers have contacted the representatives for both Roberts Filter and WesTech (Trident) to discuss converting the current plant tube settlers to upflow adsorption clarifiers,” Disney said. “Once that information has been received, a pilot study of those upflow adsorption clarifiers will need to be performed before a cost estimate for the Water Treatment Plant improvement can be determined.”
He explained PENNVEST will require the issuance of a (Department of Environmental Protection) Public Water Supply Permit Amendment, “which would require the complete design of the facility upgrade and all environmental permits be issued before a PENNVEST funding application can be submitted.”
The DEP could take up to six months to approve the permit amendment after the design is submitted, he added.
Disney presented a second matter involving Bankson at the meeting. He said the engineers provided the authority with drawings for review and approval to replace approximately 2,300 lineal feet of 8-inch water main in anticipation of upgrading the U.S. Route 219 pumping station in the future. Fifteen service connections will be reconnected to the new PVC C900 8-inch main.
This project will be advertised with a bid opening scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at the authority office. The authority was awarded a COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA Grant in the amount of $265,000 for this project, and must provide matching funds in the amount of $132,500.
In another matter, Disney detailed an issue with the Marilla Brook Crossing project. He said the authority feels contractor Cummins Construction has not addressed issues from complaints received about restoration of the project. Disney said formal written correspondence was issued to Cummins Construction notifying them of the restoration failures.
“The contract specifications clearly illustrate the requirements for lawn area restoration for which Cummins is responsible but to date has failed to correct,” Disney said.
Also at the meeting, Disney said cost issues have resulted in the authority declining to go with Johnson Controls Inc. for meter replacement. He explained Adam Kane from Johnson had provided their final costs for the new meter project, which included all transmitters and associated materials for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure network. JCI provided the authority with project details and costs for a sodium hypochlorite project that could replace gaseous chlorine for water disinfection at the Water Treatment Plant.
“Unfortunately, the return on investment for the sodium hypo project was at least 20 years,” he said, which makes it not feasible.
Disney gave an update on the new heating system, installed by Reno Bros., at the Glenwood Avenue distribution facility. Startup and troubleshooting activities are being conducted this week. The authority approved payment of $86,961 to Reno Bros. contingent on the successful startup and operation of the new heating equipment.
Ken Kane of Generations Forestry provided an update on the watershed’s timber management. He said Firth Maple Products Inc. ash salvage operations should be done by October. The Boulder Blowdown Sale is 60% complete. The Willow Creek Snowmobile Association was successful with a grant application and is working with other landowners to secure rights-of-way to complete the trails system. Generations Forestry is also working on a possible timber sale on either the Indian Pipe or Lafayette Watershed Compartments. The timber sale will be decided on species composition and timber market.
The board approved a payment to Bradford City in the amount of $244,731.28 for the milling and paving of East Main Street as the end of the lead abatement project.
Employees Paul DePalma, Tate Rodgers and Evan Smith are scheduled to attend a Pennsylvania Rural Water Association required training course, “Securing Drinking Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities,” on Oct. 8 in DuBois.
The authority currently has a 2014 Dodge Caravan for sale. Sealed bids are being accepted until 2 p.m. Oct. 22, at which time a bid opening will be conducted. The vehicle may be viewed by appointment only. Call the Water Authority Office at (814) 362-3004 to schedule an appointment. Bid forms may be obtained at the Bradford City Water Authority office.
The authority will flush areas of the distribution network that have dead ends and system blow offs on Oct. 7, 8 and 9. Customers are reminded if they experience any dirty water issues to run their cold water taps until it becomes clear again.
