Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Due to continuing spring weather conditions, road gates of the Bradford Watershed shall remain closed through the end of May. Despite these gate closures, all lands of the Watershed are available for public hunting throughout the junior and adult spring gobbler turkey season. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford City Water Authority along with Zippo President and CEO Greg Booth will be honored by the YMCA of the Twin Tiers with the organization’s George G. Blaisdell Community Service Award. The awards presentation will be during the annual breakfast on May 5 at Pitt-Bradford. Also, the 2015 Ray C. Uhler Outstanding Youth Award recipients have been named. They are Sarah Potter from Bradford Area High School, Lauren Kerr, Otto-Eldred; Dillon Mattis, Kane; Keenan Kost, Smethport; and Jefferson Stehle, Port Allegany. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

There is an end in sight to the boil water advisory that’s been in effect since February 23, the day a 24-inch water main broke on Campus Drive. The state Department of Environmental Protection says the Bradford City Water Authority can start testing the water today. They will repeat it tomorrow, and then send them to DEP. After that, we wait for DEP to give the go-head to lift the boil water advisory. Water Authority Board Chairman Ron Orris tells us that could possibly be by the end of this week.

The Bradford Water Authority’s system is continuing to recover from last Monday’s break and subsequent leakage which drained the entire system. At present, all storage tanks have been stabilized with no alarms. Storage levels are at about 75 to 80 percent of capacity and rising. The system has not yet fully recovered. BWA crew members worked throughout the weekend to continue to resolve problems related to the recent water crisis. Frozen main lines have been reported in the areas of Petrolia, Oxford and Lincolndale. Residents who are still without water due to frozen service lines or lines in their homes need to contact a local plumber. BWA customers are asked to continue to conserve water as much as possible. The “Boil Water Advisory” continues to be in effect. Testing on BWA samples will begin Monday with hopes of lifting the advisory later in the week. A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in City Council chambers, 3rd floor City Hall, followed by a noon special m...

For the latest list of closings and cancellations due to the State of Emergency/Water Crisis in Bradford, go to http://www.wesb.com/news/closings/ . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Bradford City Water Authority has lifted the Boil Water Advisory, effective immediately. All water samples collected and tested following state-mandated DEP guidance were returned safe as sampled. The testing was necessary after a large water main break on November 22. Water authority Executive Director Kim Benjamin says the authority "appreciates the cooperation and patience of all water system customers throughout this process of restoring water storage levels to normal, and assisting us in assuring that the public health of our customers was protected." http://bradfordwater.com

Quick update (from the water authority's Facebook page): There is really nothing new to report. The job is finished. Samples have been taken and sent to the lab. All we can do is wait for the results to lift the advisory. We should have them back by the beginning of next week hopefully. Please note that this is an "Advisory" that is automatically triggered due to the large main line break that disrupted the water system. It is not an "Order", which would have been issued if some kind of contamination was actually found in the water.

Bradford City Water Authority customers who live in higher elevations will no longer have to boil their water. These areas include all customers south of Owens Way and Route 219 to Route 59, including Custer City, Minard Run Road, Lewis Run, FCI-McKean and Bradford Regional Airport. Also, West Washington Street from Stephen Lane to Marilla and Harrisburg Run east to Olean Road, and the area from the intersection of Interstate Parkway and Stone Avenue to Sullivan Road. All other water customers remain under a Boil Water Advisory until further notice. The water authority will be working with the state DEP until all regulatory guidance and water sampling requirements are met. The water authority is also asking that people continue to conserve water until storage levels return to normal, and that could take several days. 4 million gallons of water were lost during a 20-inch water main break Tuesday morning. To read the news release go to BradfordWater.com .

The boil water advisory for Bradford City Water Authority customers may remain in effect for several days. Water Authority Executive Director Kim Benjamin says the advisory will be in effect until all DEP requirements for sampling are complete. The water authority is also asking people to conserve water until storage tanks recover to normal levels. The 20-inch water main break in the South Center Street area caused widespread disruption of water pressure and quality throughout the system, as about 4 million gallons of water was lost. Repairs are underway. When you’re boiling the water, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using. Boiled or bottled water should be using for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Turbidity has no health effects, but it can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of...

People on South Center Street have plenty of water, but in the road and beyond following a 20-inch water main break. Pictured, Patrick Morrisroe makes waves as he drives through the flood taking pictures. Lewis Run residents are being reminded to conserve water due to the water main break in Bradford.

Because of the water main break in the city, and low water pressure, Bradford Area Schools are closing early today. School and GGB will dismiss at 10:30 a.m.; Fretz and 12:30 p.m.; the high school, 12:45 p.m. Parents with safety concerns may contact the office of the school their child attends.

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 Br...

The Bradford Water Authority is working on a problem on Boyer Avenue, off East Main Street. At around 4:30 this morning, police received a report of water in the road in the area. The McKean County 911 Center contacted representatives of the water authority, who are now on the scene.

The Bradford City Water Authority is asking businesses and residents throughout the Tuna Valley for help in removing snow from around fire hydrants. Persistent snowfall has blocked or buried fire hydrants, despite the ongoing efforts of the Water Authority and others to keep them clear. More than 600 fire hydrants serve the area.