EBENSBURG — After years of being unable to drink or even do dishes with the water from their faucets, a small group of Blacklick Township residents soon will see a dramatic change, officials said Thursday.
A Glen Hope contractor is the apparent low bidder – at $133,500 – to install water lines connecting the five residences of Bethel Road to the municipal water lines owned by the Blacklick Valley Municipal Authority.
A sixth home, now under construction, also will benefit from the water line extension, said Larry Custer, executive director of the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority.
The addition of municipal water will be an improvement greater than most can imagine, said Rich Wray of Cresson, Blacklick Township engineer.
“The water is contaminated with petroleum and bacteria. The supervisors saw the need and they felt obligated to assist the residents,” Wray said following opening of the bids by 18 contractors hoping to lay the pipes.
About a mile of water line will be built and will open up an area that has the potential for residential growth, Custer said.
The contaminated water problem has been around for years and has gotten so bad that the residents are forced to get their water from a nearby creek, Supervisor Joe Sherwood said recently.
The hope was that the system would be in place last year. But delays in getting the contract for the work from the state held up an environmental review and pushed the work into this year, officials said.
Construction should begin in early May and will take about two months to complete, Custer said.
The line will end at the intersection of Bethel and Reed Hall roads.
Money for the project is through the Cambria County Community Development Block Grant program – 2007 funds, Custer said.
Last spring, the county commissioners designated the project as a top priority for the CDBG money.
Local News
Blacklick Township homes getting municipal water
- Local News
-
-
Two Cambria district judge offices to be cut
Two of Cambria County’s 10 magisterial districts could be eliminated as President Judge Timothy Creany looks at realigning boundaries to cut costs while taking into consideration caseloads of the district judges and population changes.
-
Westmont couple inseparable, even in death
People who knew James and Marjorie Landis of Westmont said the two were nearly always together.
-
Company buys valuables from people ready to unload
Jan Hagerich’s buffalo nickel was “healthy” – which was unhealthy for her finances.
-
Blogging with heart
I was feeling overwhelmed yesterday, so today, I’m organizing my work. I have talked to probably a couple dozen people for Heart Month stories and I have pages and pages of notes.
-
Special Olympics return to region
More than 300 athletes eager to show off their skills, along with 135 coaches, will be coming to the region to take part in the 2012 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games.
-
Special Olympics Schedule
Here is a list of events related to the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Winter Games through Tuesday at venues across the region:
Saturday
• Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics; Quemahoning Reservoir near Boswell; registration at 9:30 a.m.; plunge at 1 p.m. -
Water rates going up to pay for line project
An estimated $9 million Windber Area Authority transmission line project will likely head toward construction late this summer.
-
Citizens eye cost-cutting measures
A total of 16 members of a concerned citizens group volunteered to serve on a committee to develop cost-saving ideas that will be presented to the Westmont Hilltop school board.
-
Critz co-sponsoring bills that support emergency responders
U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-Johnstown, said he is co-sponsoring several bills that support emergency responders.
-
IN BRIEF | Police investigating shooting of city man
State police in Indiana County are investigating the shooting of a Johnstown man late Tuesday or early Wednesday, authorities said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Two Cambria district judge offices to be cut
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
