Extensions bring water to rural areas
AVELLA – Water has played a crucial role at the oldest known site of human habitation in North America.
More than 16,000 years ago, Paleo Indians, small groups of nomadic people, camped at the site of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, leaving behind 20,000 artifacts in the form of stone tools, ice-age fire pit remnants and pottery fragments. The rock ledge overhang, formed by the waters of Cross Creek, served as an ideal temporary home for the hunters and gatherers, providing shelter, an accessible fresh water supply and a plentiful source of plants and animals for consumption.
“Water has been a big part of 16,000 years of human presence on this piece of property. Reliable water is a need that transcends the span of time,” said Meadowcroft director Dave Scofield. “As crucial as water is to us today, it was even more so to the first people in North America, using the water from Cross Creek to survive and build a better life for their families.”
Fast-forward thousands of years. Beginning in the 19th century, the residents of nearby rural areas relied on springs and wells as their primary water source, tapping deep into the earth’s water tables.
Now, water can be accessed with a simple turn of the spigot.
A $9.8 million Pennsylvania American Water extension project is complete, providing water to 230 households in Amwell, Avella, Buffalo, Burgettstown, Cecil, Chartiers, Jefferson, Mt. Pleasant, North Strabane and Smith townships, and organizations like Meadowcroft and Mel Blount Youth Home near Taylorstown.
The project includes 82 new fire hydrants, a Claysville wastewater plant upgrade and a booster station in Amwell Township that provides sufficient pressure to higher-elevation homes.
“Water coming out of our treatment plants provides confidence in fire prevention,” said Jimmy Sheridan, Pennsylvania American Water vice president of operations.
Sheridan, fellow employees and community members celebrated the project’s completion Friday at Meadowcroft, taking a tour of the Rockshelter with Scofield.
The water company secured low-interest financing from Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to install 19 miles of pipe.
“Pennsylvania American Water is proud to supply quality, dependable water service to these communities, which previously suffered with unreliable wells, springs and cisterns for drinking water,” Sheridan said.
Before the project, Meadowcroft, in its 46th year of operation, used three wells for its water supply. Last year, 17,000 people visited the museum. With that number continuing to rise, the wells were not sufficient.
“There is a great demand for water in rural areas,” said Scofield. “We are fortunate to have this project happen.”