Published: July 22, 2008 10:55 pm      

Que Pipeline gets fifth advance customer

SOMERSET — For the first time since groundbreaking began, a group has signed up to buy Quemahoning Pipeline water.

The Boswell Borough Municipal Authority has agreed to buy 10,000 gallons a day at $2.25 per 1,000 gallons, Somerset County Commissioners said Tuesday.

The announcement brings the number of pipeline customers to five; four other authorities pledged support prior to groundbreaking.

The pipeline is about 75 percent built. The Somerset County General Authority needs to sell more than 1 million gallons daily to be able to make payments on the $22.5 million pipeline that will run from the Quemahoning Reservoir to Somerset. Right now, it has commitments for more than 1.1 million gallons.

“I applaud your foresight,” county Commissioner Jim Marker told leaders of the municipal authority. “Boswell has a very good system.”

He added that the authority doesn’t need the additional water now but is prudent to prepare for the future.

The 22-mile line is scheduled to be ready for operation by the beginning of the year. Already, two booster stations have been delivered.

Commissioners said the pipeline will be the county’s largest-ever infrastructure project – and that the line is expected to help bring 2,700 “family-sustaining” jobs.

Commissioner John Vatavuk said the group is making significant progress and is talking with others, including municipal authorities for Jenner Township and Gray.

Somerset Borough is the largest buyer by far, having committed early on to 900,000 gallons daily.