All customers of the Bradford City Water Authority will need to have their connections checked for backflow prevention devices.
This is to be done as part of the authority’s Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program. The program “ensures all water connections to the public system have proper backflow prevention devices including all fire protection connections to the public system,” Executive Director Steve Disney explained in information provided to The Era after Wednesday’s regular water authority meeting.
While the program will apply to all customers — industrial, commercial and residential — residential customers will not be notified until the industrial and commercial checks are complete.
Customers will pay for the installation and testing of devices.
National Water Specialties Co. (NAWSC) will administer the program for the authority, doing tasks such as contacting customers and providing a list of plumbers. The company has already started to contact industrial and commercial customers, according to Disney.
Also, “Testing can only be conducted by ASSE Certified Plumbers,” he said. However, “A plumber or property owner does not have to be ASSE Certified for the installation.”
Annual testing is required for industrial and commercial customers, while residential customers must conduct testing once every five years.
In talking to a couple of plumbers, Disney said the test itself has been estimated at $100-$125, but noted the cost may go down if more plumbers get certified. Most residences should already have a backflow preventer on their tap right now, but Disney said it may be cheaper for homeowners to purchase a new device every five years than get their device tested.
Industrial and commercial properties must have devices that are testable, and many will need to purchase a new dual check valve assembly to meet that requirement. A few industrial customers may have to purchase a more expensive device if certain chemicals or hazards are present.
“The Bradford City Water Authority does not receive any funds associated with this program,” Disney noted.
The authority is following guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection with the program and must complete the program to be in compliance.
He explained that events, such as the fire department pulling a lot of water from the line to fight a fire, can cause backflow or syphoning, and that is why the program is important.
Find an ASSE Certified plumber by visiting nawsc.net/tester-pa or by calling the NAWSC Cross-Connection Control Department at 844-605-5213.
In other news, the Gilbert Reservoir access road will remain closed to unauthorized vehicles for at least another week or two to allow compaction of the road base.
The authority also heard updates on authority projects.
Regarding the Kenmar Acres main line extension, 20 new customers have tapped into the main, and the deadline for mandatory connection is July 1.
Also Disney said Bankson Engineering has a team out to map, survey and evaluate an area by Marilla Brook where the authority plans to relocate a main line. They are worried about damage to the mains due to being exposed in the creek bed.
As for the 24-inch transmission main installation, the contractors who installed the main will be performing clean-up, punch list items and restoration this spring. Bankson Engineers is still working on record drawings to be submitted to the DEP.
