Aqua has informed Shenandoah officials that water pressure has been restored within the Borough proper. However, the water infrastructure in patch areas is in worse condition, according to information from the Borough.
The water infrastructure in the patch areas will require additional attention to prevent further issues while full service is restored.
Regarding restoration of water pressure in Shenandoah itself, the Borough says it’s a “positive step forward in the ongoing response and recovery efforts.”
Water quality testing is expected to begin when the entire system, including the patch areas, comes online, according to a conversation Coal Region Canary had Thursday morning with Borough Manager Mike Cadau.
A Boil Water Advisory is still in effect and will remain in effect until water testing is completed and Aqua Pennsylvania is given an all-clear from the state’s Dept. of Environmental Protection. That likely will take several days.
“This phase of the operation is critical as crews continue filling the service lines and storage tanks throughout the system,” a Borough news release indicates. “Aqua is currently pushing water into the patch and other areas that are still experiencing service interruptions.”
Shenandoah and surrounding areas serviced by Aqua Pennsylvania have largely been without water service or very low water pressure since late Monday following a presumed water main break that the water company was attempting to locate.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the location of that break hadn’t been identified.
Later Wednesday night, a broken, six-inch fire line at the former Woolworth’s department store on N. Main St. was discovered by two former employees of the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS), including former foreman David “Lucky” Lukashunas, who knew where to shut off the water on the line.
“His knowledge has been extremely valuable during all of this,” Cadau says.
Inside, according to Cadau, about eight feet of water was found in the basement of the building.
Repairs were completed on that broken line Wednesday night. That was a big factor into restoring water pressure within the Borough but there were other repairs, Cadau says.
Photo submitted/Mike Cadau
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