The construction on the new 24-inch transmission main is nearly complete, according to information shared at the regular meeting of the Bradford City Water Authority Wednesday. Executive Director Steve Disney reported that major construction activities are winding down with a total of 98% of the pipe installed under both contracts combined.
Under contract 19-1A, the Mortimer Excavating crew has installed 100% of their 20,968 feet of pipe in that contract. Of that length of pipe, 10,300 feet has successfully passed both hydrostatic and bacteriological tests, another 4,811 feet of pipe has passed pressure testing but has not been sampled for bacteriological, and another 5,857 feet of pipe is currently filling but not ready for testing.
Under contract 19-1B, the D&M Construction crews have installed 11,682 feet of their total of 12,384 feet, which is 94%. The 702 feet remaining is at the reservoir #4 location. Of the 11,682 feet installed, 5,908 feet of pipe has successfully passed both hydrostatic and bacteriological tests, another 930 feet has passed pressure tests but has not been sampled for bacteriological, and another 4,844 feet is currently being filled but not ready for testing.
Final connections into Reservoir #4 have been delayed due to the vault and valve supplier issues stemming from the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Disney also noted that both contractors are also working on service connections along their respective routes.
Disney reported that Mortimer’s Excavating has notified the Authority that they will commence construction activities for Kenmar Acres as soon as they have completed work on the current 24” transmission project, which is anticipated to be mid to late August. It is anticipated to take up to 60 days for completion, dependent on weather.
Letters of notice have been sent to all addresses which were included in the scope of the project indicating the timeframe in which the project will commence, and the requirements and specifications for hooking up to the system once it is placed into service.
An update on the Water Treatment Plant Septic System replacement was also provided. Gannett Fleming was hit with a cyber-attack, which affected some documents that were being formulated and processed, one of which was the work being done on the specifications and plans needed to be sent along with the permit modification request to the state Department of Environmental Protection. They are in the midst of preparing these again for submission.
During the new business portion of the meeting, it was announced that the 200,000 gallon Bon Aire tank has been drained, washed out, inspected and the interior repainted as part of the annual maintenance agreement program. Water samples have been taken and will be tested based on bacteria and VOC criteria. Those results will not be available until the first week of August. The tank remains out of service until all tests have successfully passed.
Main lines were repaired at several locations. Other work completed included exercising 21 gate valves during June, the installation of new water taps at 30 Boylston St., repairing hydrants at 358 Interstate Parkway and water service repairs at 399 W. Washington St., 403 W. Washington St., 15 Calvin Ct. and 24 Jerome Ave. Renewal of water service at 286 Jackson Ave. was also completed during June.
Various miscellaneous tasks were also completed during June, including leak detection throughout the system, updating GIS, mowing at the reservoirs, pump stations and hydrants and excavation of water mains for O.D. for the insertion valve project.
Ken Kane, president of Generations Forestry, provided an update on the current status of timber inventory work on the Marilla watershed. He also updated the board on current timber sale activities, and worldwide timber market conditions.
