December 14, 2009
Phase II of the McKean Township and Borough Water Main Extension Project continues to progress; however, the contract completion date has been extended to February 15, 2010. The reason for the delay is two-fold. Specialized water main gaskets, known as nitrile gaskets, were on back order. Erie Water Works (EWW) opted to go with nitrile gaskets due to their resistance to permeation of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) which are the main culprit of polluted wells in McKean. Unfortunately, EWW was misinformed that the gaskets were readily available and as a result it delayed the contractor from starting to install the water main until August, 2009. Also contributing to the delay were two unidentified Underground Storage Tanks that were uncovered by the contractor during the course of construction. The contractor was delayed until the tanks could be properly cleaned and removed. To insure a timely completion of the project and the provision of water service to the Phase II customers, work will continue during the winter months.
To help deliver water as quickly as possible EWW received Department of Environmental Protection approval to activate Phase II in three sections. The first section consists of SR 99 at Elk Creek to just south of West Road, Old North Main Street, and School Street. This section currently serves approximately 60 customers and was put into service on October 22, 2009. The second section will consist of the remainder of SR 99, Hamot Street, Cindy Lane, Paula Way, Kevin Drive, West Road, Walmer Drive, and Windswept Drive. This section will serve over 90 customers and is expected to be turned on by mid January. The third and final section will consist of East Road, Drown Avenue, and Greenlee Road. This section will serve approximately 55 customers and is expected to be activated in February 2010, weather depending. A total of over 26,000 feet of water main will be installed during Phase II. 
In other exciting news, the EWW received a PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority) Grant for Phase I and II of the McKean Township and Borough Water Main Extension Project. The Grant will first go toward eliminating the monthly debt service fee that was originally estimated at $25-$30 for each project participant. This fee was scheduled to commence billing when the project was completed. After that, the remaining grant money will go toward refunding a portion of the tapping privilege fee. At this point in the project; however, there is no way to know how much that refund could be.
EWW is extremely excited to be leading the water system expansion in McKean. This project illustrates what can be accomplished when a community in need has forward thinking leaders and the openness to partner with others to achieve something great. Through the efforts of McKean Township Supervisors, McKean Borough Council, and the Middleboro and McKean Township Authorities, the project was made possible. Special thanks go to the late McKean Township Supervisor Jim Guckes and Rick Dylewski for their determination to bring a high quality water supply to the McKean Community. The PA Department of Environmental Protection and PENNVEST Staff have been partners throughout this process and have helped transform the project from wishful thinking to a reality.
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