Derry Township, Palmyra set for $2.6M water system improvements

Pennsylvania American Water today announced a series of main replacement projects in its east shore system to improve reliability for customers, reduce service disruptions and increase water flows for firefighting. The combined cost of the projects in Derry Township and Palmyra Borough is approximately $2.6 million.

“These projects will replace parts of our water infrastructure dating back prior to 1918,” said Joseph Woodward, Pennsylvania American Water’s manager of field operations for central Pennsylvania. “By replacing approximately four miles of aging and undersized pipe, we will increase service reliability and improve fire protection for these communities for years to come.”

In Derry Township, the company plans the following system improvements starting the week of April 29:

· Elm Avenue between Cocoa Avenue and Hockersville Road – Replace 4,000 feet of four- and six-inch cast iron pipe with 12-inch ductile iron pipe.
· Cedar Avenue between Mill Street and West Areba Avenue – Replace 3,700 feet of six-inch cast iron pipe with eight-inch ductile iron pipe.
· East Derry Road between East Mansion and Laudermilch roads – Replace 2,200 feet of six-inch cast iron pipe with 12-inch ductile iron pipe.
· Beech Avenue between Mill Street and Ridge Avenue – Replace 2,500 feet of six-inch cast iron pipe with eight-inch ductile iron pipe.
· West Granada Avenue between Hillcrest and Glen roads – Replace 1,350 feet of four-inch cast iron pipe with eight-inch ductile iron pipe.
· Glen Road between West Caracas and Beech avenues – Replace 1,600 feet of six-inch cast iron pipe with eight-inch ductile iron pipe.
· Maple Avenue between Hockersville and Valley roads – Replace 2,000 feet of six-inch cast iron pipe with eight-inch ductile iron pipe.
· West Mansion Street south of East Derry Road – Replace 500 feet of four-inch cast iron pipe with six-inch PVC pipe.
· Spring Creek Lane south of East Chocolate road – Replace 500 feet of two-inch cast iron pipe with six-inch ductile iron pipe.

In Palmyra, Pennsylvania American Water has scheduled the following upgrades:

· East Maple Avenue between South Railroad and South Franklin streets – Replace 2,000 feet of four-inch cast iron pipe with eight-inch ductile iron pipe.
· East North Avenue between South Railroad and Chestnut streets – Replace 450 feet of four-inch cast iron pipe with six-inch ductile iron pipe.

Pennsylvania American Water’s contractor, Ebersole Excavating of Hershey, will start working the week of April 29 at Cedar Avenue and Beech Avenue in Derry Township. Work will take place weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. During construction, traffic disruptions are likely in works zones and motorists are urged to find alternate routes.

The company expects to complete the water main installation, including transfer of all customer services and final paving restoration, by mid-October.

During construction, customers might experience temporary service interruptions, discolored water and/or lower than normal water pressure. Crews will work as quickly as possible to shorten the length of these temporary inconveniences. For more information, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.

Woodward said these water system improvements are in addition to the new water storage tank that the company is currently constructing in North Annville Township. The 750,000-gallon concrete tank is expected to be completed by the fall, with an estimated cost of $1.4 million.