Water line project to improve service
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Sometimes, a temporary inconvenience prevents a major disruption.
That’s the hope of Pennsylvania American Water officials as more than 12 miles of aging water main are replaced in Washington County.
An $8 million upgrade in eight communities is intended to improve service reliability and fire protection and to prevent emergency repairs to the water mains.
“These new mains will ensure reliable water service and improve fire flows in some of Washington County’s oldest neighborhoods,” said project manager James Jericho in a statement.
Every customer directly affected has been or will be notified of possible temporary service disruptions, discolored water and low water pressure, said spokeswoman Josephine Posti.
When choosing priority projects, the company considers the age and diameter of existing pipes and whether there is a history of breaks.
“Every year, we look at a number of variables and take all of those things into account,” Posti said.
The majority of replacements in this project will increase the diameter of water mains.
Pennsylvania American Water will install new eight-inch water mains, replace all fire hydrants in the areas of work and install four new hydrants.
Replacement work is complete on three roads in Washington, five roads in Peters Township and on Fisher Road in South Strabane Township.
Work on Euclid Avenue in Canonsburg Borough, Joffre-Bulger Road and Center Avenue in Smith Township, Massey Road in Midway Borough and Center Avenue and Stella Streets in Burgettstown Borough are in progress.
Work is slated to begin in the following areas: Route 519, Garden Street and Kidder Lane in North Strabane Township; McNary Street and North Jefferson Avenue in Canonsburg; Manifold and Oak Spring roads in South Strabane Township, and Route 18 in Smith Township.
The project, including pipe installation, service connection tie-ins and paving, doesn’t require complete road closures, though some will temporarily limit traffic to one lane.
The utility company projects tentative completion by the end of November.