BRADYS BEND TWP, Armstrong County — Concerned residents asked about the status of the boil advisory at the Bradys Bend Water Authority meeting Thursday night.

The boil water advisory remains in effect.

Resident Tracy Jack asked if the township’s reservoir was fixed. Authority chairman Wade Ion said it was.

“There are two places that need some attention,” Ion said.

Ion added the project contractors will be on-site Friday to study the issue.

Jack also asked where the authority was in the process of the proposed connection that would allow Bradys Bend Township residents to get water through the Petrolium Valley Regional Water Authority from East Brady.

Ion explained there are two valves that control the height of the reservoir for the interconnect.

When a tie-in is done for Bradys Bend residents, PVRWA will push out water at a pressure rate of about 250 pounds per square inch.

“Which would blow everybody’s lines out down here,” Ion said.

To reduce the pressure to 60 PSI, Ion ordered new control valves. Expedited shipping on the valves was $4,000, and they should arrive within a week.

Once the valves are installed, DEP must inspect the interconnect. An electronic control company then will be asked to set the controls.

“I need to get everything coordinated,” Ion said. “I can’t give you a date. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.”

“Is that (interconnect) still going to go through our filtration?” Jack asked.

Ion said the water would arrive treated. The interconnect will be “the quickest fix” for residents.

In the long run, the authority will need to analyze the financial feasibility of fixing the water treatment plant.

Jack asked if rates would increase with the interconnect. Authority legal counsel Matthew Racunas said it was likely.

“We’re still working through the amendment to the agreement,” Racunas said.

He added the authority has 147 customers, but only about 120 pay their water and sewer bills. The authority has faced an additional deficit since July. Some residents who are disgruntled with the boil advisory haven’t been paying their bills.

“To me, that’s not the answer,” Racunas said. “That doesn’t solve the problem.”

Racunas encouraged customers to pay their bills.

Plans beyond the interconnect are being discussed. The authority will provide more information later.

Authority chairman retiring

Ion announced at the end of the meeting that he is retiring from the authority Aug. 31 after 37 years of service.

“I think it’s time for me to retire,” Ion said.

Authority board member Mike Stitt and others thanked Ion for his work.

“I did one day what you’ve done for 37 years,” Stitt said. “And I hated it.”

Ion was advised by DEP to also remove his license from the treatment plant, signifying he no longer will be in charge of it.

Bradys Bend resident Josh Miller was approved to join the authority after he successfully completes his water management test in November. While his real interest lies in sewage management, Miller said he looks forward to being part of the authority.

“It’s a challenge,” Miller told the Eagle.

Between Ion’s retirement and Miller’s certification, the plant will “be in violation” even though it won’t be operating.

The authority also approved transferring $10,000 from savings to its checking account to pay bills.