Water Authority Gets $5 Million Grant
The Bradford City Water Authority has been awarded a $5.2 million H20 PA Grant to rehabilitate a high dam that spans Gilbert Run in Bradford Township, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25). Scarnati said the grant was approved today by the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority – paving the way for improvements to begin.
Originally constructed in 1886 and modified in 1914, Bradford Dam No. 2 is 44 feet tall, 850 feet long and impounds a 30-acre lake used as a water supply.
Scarnati said the spillway will be repaired, its current width will be maintained and its downstream slope will be flattened and reinforced with Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) overtopping protection.
“This reinforcement is crucial because it will prevent damage and the possible breaching of the embankment if there is a large storm that exceeds the capacity of the spillway and runs over the dam,” Scarnati said. “Approximately 1,200 residents and 40 businesses would be impacted if the Bradford Dam failed, so this project is crucial to public safety and protecting our communities.”
He added that the improvements will bring the dam into compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection’s dam safety rules and regulations.
“There are currently major deficiencies in the dam, including an inadequate spillway, an irregular downstream slope, and depression and seepage evident at the toe of the dam,” Scarnati said. “The proposed project will address all these deficiencies and remove the dam from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Unsafe Dam List.”
He said the entire project will cost approximately $6.5 million with the Bradford City Water Authority providing $1.3 million through a bond or PENNVEST funding.
“I am pleased that this very important infrastructure project will be completed and the dam rehabilitated so that it can meet the needs of area residents and businesses,” Scarnati said.
H20 Grant
“Clearly, this project is vital to our area, not only in terms of public safety but also economic development.”
The H2O PA Act was established by the state's General Assembly in July 2008. The act provides for single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, flood control and storm sewer projects. The money was raised through a state bond issue and, because it is being distributed as grants, does not have to be repaid.
Originally constructed in 1886 and modified in 1914, Bradford Dam No. 2 is 44 feet tall, 850 feet long and impounds a 30-acre lake used as a water supply.
Scarnati said the spillway will be repaired, its current width will be maintained and its downstream slope will be flattened and reinforced with Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) overtopping protection.
“This reinforcement is crucial because it will prevent damage and the possible breaching of the embankment if there is a large storm that exceeds the capacity of the spillway and runs over the dam,” Scarnati said. “Approximately 1,200 residents and 40 businesses would be impacted if the Bradford Dam failed, so this project is crucial to public safety and protecting our communities.”
He added that the improvements will bring the dam into compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection’s dam safety rules and regulations.
“There are currently major deficiencies in the dam, including an inadequate spillway, an irregular downstream slope, and depression and seepage evident at the toe of the dam,” Scarnati said. “The proposed project will address all these deficiencies and remove the dam from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Unsafe Dam List.”
He said the entire project will cost approximately $6.5 million with the Bradford City Water Authority providing $1.3 million through a bond or PENNVEST funding.
“I am pleased that this very important infrastructure project will be completed and the dam rehabilitated so that it can meet the needs of area residents and businesses,” Scarnati said.
H20 Grant
“Clearly, this project is vital to our area, not only in terms of public safety but also economic development.”
The H2O PA Act was established by the state's General Assembly in July 2008. The act provides for single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, flood control and storm sewer projects. The money was raised through a state bond issue and, because it is being distributed as grants, does not have to be repaid.
.jpg)
Comments