People who live and work on Packers Island in Northumberland County may finally be able to look forward to reliable water service. A water main that caused trouble last year is being replaced underneath the Susquehanna River bed.
The new and improve plastic water pipe is being installed by Pennsylvania American Water crews. It's being placed about 40 feet under the north branch of the Susquehanna River for homes and businesses on Packers Island.
"This pipe is better than the old one because it will not be impacted in the soil that it lays in. It doesn't rust it should last longer than the ductile iron water main," said Joel Mitchell of Pennsylvania American Water.
The pipe is about 1,100 feet long and the wall about an inch thick. Officials at the water company said it is suppose to last for at least a century.
The original pipe under the Susquehanna River broke in July, 2008. A fire hose had to be used to provide water to dozens of people until temporary repairs were made. Wayne Reed was one of them.
"I think it's very good that they are doing this. There certainly has been some inconvenience with the water before. I'm assuming it will be cleaner as well and we shouldn't have to worry about a future problem," said Reed.
The $700,000 project will replace the existing main that supplies water from the Milton water treatment plant to about 130 homes and business on Packers Island.
"As long as they replaced the pipe I think it's a good thing because being without water screws the day up but if the plastic holds up it's a good thing," said Doug Beaver.
The project to replace that pipe should be finished by early December.
The new and improve plastic water pipe is being installed by Pennsylvania American Water crews. It's being placed about 40 feet under the north branch of the Susquehanna River for homes and businesses on Packers Island.
"This pipe is better than the old one because it will not be impacted in the soil that it lays in. It doesn't rust it should last longer than the ductile iron water main," said Joel Mitchell of Pennsylvania American Water.
The pipe is about 1,100 feet long and the wall about an inch thick. Officials at the water company said it is suppose to last for at least a century.
The original pipe under the Susquehanna River broke in July, 2008. A fire hose had to be used to provide water to dozens of people until temporary repairs were made. Wayne Reed was one of them.
"I think it's very good that they are doing this. There certainly has been some inconvenience with the water before. I'm assuming it will be cleaner as well and we shouldn't have to worry about a future problem," said Reed.
The $700,000 project will replace the existing main that supplies water from the Milton water treatment plant to about 130 homes and business on Packers Island.
"As long as they replaced the pipe I think it's a good thing because being without water screws the day up but if the plastic holds up it's a good thing," said Doug Beaver.
The project to replace that pipe should be finished by early December.
