Published: November 14, 2009 11:19 pm      

Northern Cambria water-safety issues resolved: Engineer

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — After several months of worrying about the safety of its public water supply, including a boil-water notice in July, borough engineers say the immediate problem is solved.

But for the longer range, engineers are using meters to check for possible leaks.

That plan has been submitted to the state, and the Department of Environmental Protection has about 15 days to review it.

“The immediate problem is all taken care of,” said Bill Sauserman, project engineer with Stiffler-McGraw Associates of Hollidaysburg.

“The water treatment plant is producing chlorinated, disinfected water at the plant. Everything’s been straightened out, and we are complying with the DEP orders,” Sauserman said.

In the wake of a contamination finding last summer, DEP found that the chlorinator had malfunctioned and been shut down.

Field tests of water samples during the inspection showed that the treated water contained an inadequate amount of chlorine, according to DEP.

Additionally, during follow-up inspections in August, DEP discovered what the agency termed “additional serious violations,” including a broken transmission line, broken valves and damaged water tanks.

All of that reduced the flow of raw water to the treatment plant and threatened the ability of the water authority to serve its customers, DEP officials said.

It is that water flow that Stiffler-McGraw is studying now.

DEP’s order dealt with the water authority’s source, said Sauserman.

“The agency wanted to confirm the source flow, and to find out if the authority is producing the expected number of gallons per day, or if there are any breaks in the lines.

“We gave them a plan, and we put meters on the water sources to compare to meters at the plant. The amounts won’t be exactly the same, but they should be pretty close,” he said.

“If not, then we know we have a problem with the line that needs to be addressed,” he said.

Although the former boroughs of Spangler and Barnesboro now are consolidated into one borough, Northern Cambria, two different water systems and treatment plants remain.

Plant workers are shared, and authority members are the same for both.

It is the Northern Cambria authority, not Spangler, which has been found in violation.



Time line



• July – The state Department of Environmental Protection orders Northern Cambria to issue a boil-water notice.

• August – DEP finds other violations, including a broken transmission line

• Oct. 16 – DEP orders repairs of Northern Cambria’s water supply facilities and gives the water authority

30 days to submit a plan and repair schedule.

• Last week – The borough’s consulting engineer submits a plan to the state, which now has 15 days to review it.