The Bradford Sanitary Authority reported significant progress this year with assessment and repairs to both the sanitary and the storm water system. The Sanitary Authority cleaned, evaluated, assessed, and documented several sanitary and storm lines this year. Over 53,000 feet of sewer and storm lines have been assessed and documented throughout the sanitary and storm system in 2021. These assessments assist the authority in determining the overall health and state of the system as well as forecasting capital projects in the coming years.
As of Nov. 30, 39,000 feet of sewer mains (16% of the system) along with 125 manholes have been assessed and documented throughout the City of Bradford for 2021. Out of the 39,000 feet of sewer lines that were inspected this year, 84% of the sewer mains were rated between excellent and good, 9% were rated in fair condition, and 7% were rated between poor and very poor. No major sanitary main line replacement is currently planned, but if it were, the costs for those sanitary mains assessed this year to be in poor and very poor shape would be approximately $350,000. Out of the 125 manholes that were assessed and documented this year, 87% of the manholes were rated between excellent and good, 9% were rated fair, and 4% were rated between poor and very poor.
As of Nov. 30, 14,500 feet of storm mains (11% of the system) along with 33 manholes and 135 catch basins have been assessed and documented throughout the City of Bradford for 2021. Out of the 14,500 feet of storm mains that were inspected this year, 66% of the storm mains were rated between excellent and good, 20% were rated fair and 13% were rated between poor and very poor. Out of the 33 manholes that were assessed and documented this year, 85% were rated between excellent and good, 12% were rated fair, and 3% were rated between poor and very poor. Out of the 135 catch basins that were assessed and documented this year, 64% were rated between excellent and good, 24% were rated fair, and 12% of the catch basins were rated between poor and very poor. While no immediate comprehensive replacement is planned, replacement costs for the assets assessed that are in poor and very poor shape would be approximately $255,000. $35,000 is being appropriated out of the 2022 storm water budget to address the most poorly assessed catch basins.
The authority was able to complete several major projects in the storm system for 2021, two of the largest projects being a storm water infrastructure replacement on King Street and another storm water infrastructure replacement behind North Bennett Street and Calvin Court.
On King Street, the authority, with the help of the Department of Public Works, replaced 180 feet of 15-inch storm main. The failing stormwater infrastructure was creating a significant safety concern on the surface with damaged sidewalks, curbs and driveway approaches. The authority requested feedback from the citizens that live on King Street and one citizen stated “Bradford should be proud to have people like this working to maintain our underground public works”, he went on to say “Just want to say, Job Well Done.”
Behind North Bennett Street and Calvin Court, the Authority redefined 330 feet of open ditch line, lining it with large rip-rap and installing 2 new catch basins. This eliminated water run off onto North Bennett and Abbott Streets and into yards and properties of area citizens. One citizen stated that her yard was “constantly inundated with muddy water, rocks and leaf debris over the years after a rainstorm.” After the authority completed this project, she also stated, “I held my breath over the first rain after they finished this extensive endeavor, and, to my relief, no muddy deluge!”
The authority is continuing to pinpoint projects and improvements that need to be performed in the city, but these projects and improvements are not possible without the continued funding and support toward the sanitary and stormwater system. If customers are interested in finding out ways that they can save money on their stormwater bill and give back to their community through the “adopt and inlet” program, please contact our offices at 28 Kennedy St. or access our website at https://www.bradfordsanitary.com.
