The Bradford City Water Authority is working to obtain funding for the proposed redundant transmission main, a project that officials hope will prevent a water crisis like one that occurred in 2015.
In 2015, a major water break by the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford left thousands of customers without water for several days. To keep customers from experiencing another long water outage, the authority wants to install a second transmission main, then repair the original main.
Executive Director Steve Disney reported at Wednesday’s authority meeting that the authority anticipates being able to apply for the next round of PENNVEST funding, which has a deadline of May 1.
He said they have submitted a finalized permit application request for the project to the state Department of Environmental Protection, and the DEP has 60 working days to review the request. The 60-day period ends April 29, two days before the PENNVEST application is due.
Disney anticipates another project — the Gilbert Reservoir spillway bridge project — will be put out for bid by April.
The state Department of Dam Safety has required some changes to the original design by GAI Consultants. GAI has made revisions, such as adding clarifications and using articulated concrete blocks bound together with steel cables rather than riprap.
GAI sent the revised package to Dam Safety for approval.
Ken Kane, president of Generations Forestry and the authority’s forester, gave a presentation to the board on an ongoing project. He is completing a timber inventory of authority-owned land so the authority can determine the potential for future annual revenue while maintaining a healthy forest for future generations.
Revenue from timber sales goes to both the authority and Bradford City.
In other news, a study is underway establishing the basis for the authority’s rate fee structure. Gannett Fleming is reviewing documentation associated with the study.
Similarly, the authority authorized Bankson Engineers to conduct a study to confirm the basis and cost structure for authority tapping fees. Through the study, Bankson will review connection fees; water meter cost; costs to treat, pump and store water; cost of distributing the water; and special purpose items.
The board gave approval to a plan to consider refinancing the authority’s 2014 water revenue bond series. The authority will review current market conditions and consult with Concord Public Financial Advisors. The bond series original aggregate principal was $8,820,000, and the current balance is $6,585,000.
Effective in March, the board approved a change to the meeting schedule. The group will meet the fourth Wednesday of the month and, on an as-needed basis, the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings will be at noon at 28 Kennedy St.
