Published: July 10, 2009 10:27 pm      

Authority plans water warnings by telephone

When Greater Johnstown Water Authority’s lines are leaking, customers’ phones will be ringing.

The authority, acting on a new state mandate, has contracted with a New Jersey company that will call local residents whose water supply is affected by leaks, construction or other disruption.

It’s an effort to get warnings out much more quickly, while also freeing authority staff from knocking on doors.

“I think it’s a benefit to our customers,” authority board member Tony Caputo said.

The initiative is the result of a new rule implemented by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Smaller water companies are exempt, but Greater Johnstown – with nearly 22,000 customers in 17 municipalities – must comply by May of next year.

Authority officials expect to have their system in place long before that.

It will work like this: When there is a leak, spill or other issue, the authority will choose a certain geographic area in which customers should be notified.

From there, SwiftReach Networks of Mahwah, N.J., will make calls to deliver a prerecorded message.

“It may be an accident, or it could be a water-line break,” Caputo said.

Mike Kukura, the authority’s resident manager, envisions other uses such as letting customers know when there will be construction or line-flushing in the area.

The system also could send messages to those who have past-due bills.

“We’d like to use it for more than just emergencies,” Kukura said.

The initial cost to the authority is relatively low: There is an $8,800 annual subscription fee with SwiftReach, as well as an $800 set-up fee.

From there, the total cost will be determined by how many calls SwiftReach places on the authority’s behalf.

Officials are encouraging Greater Johnstown customers to call the authority’s office at 533-4300 to ensure that staff members have correct contact information on file. SwiftReach also will be able to send text messages and e-mails if a customer prefers.

“We need to be able to contact you in case of emergency,” Kukura said.

Such notification systems are not new. In 2001, Cambria County unveiled “reverse 911” phone alerts to warn residents of emergencies or to call out emergency personnel.

Kukura added that, “for the past few years, schools have been using systems like this.”